Final CAS Reflection
Looking back at the past two years in the IB DP programme, CAS has really helped me stay on track with pursuing my hobbies and being able to relax from the pressures of school work.
LO1 Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
Throughout the IB program, Taekwondo has played an important role in my personal development. Through rigorous training, I have identified my strengths and developed areas for improvement, ultimately shaping me into a more confident and disciplined individual. Self-discipline instilled through hard work and determination has allowed me to bring this into my academic goals as well by keeping focused on achieving objectives. All in all, Taekwondo has been a key part of me throughout the program as I practiced every Thursday and from time to time since November.
LO2 Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
One area that I have decided to improve is my cooking. As we are graduating this year, cooking would be a useful skill to have while living by ourselves. Through youtube and some help from my mom, I worked my way up from making a simple sandwich to cooking various meat dishes such as steak as well as Kottu.
LO3 Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience
Out of the many CAS experiences that required me to demonstrate initiative in planning for it, Reading buddies was one that required me and my group to talk with Ms Stella, a teacher in Grade 5, and plan sessions and suitable books that suite grade 5’s.
The reading sessions allowed us to connect with a different part of the school that I wouldn’t have ever interacted with if it wasn’t for reading buddies. Overall, the reading buddies experiences were hghly reminiscent of my time in primary and allowed all of us to experience what teaching a group of primary kids is like.
LO4 Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences & LO6 Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance
Eco-schools was something I pursued throughout the DP program to improve sustainability in the school. We worked on many projects such as the Baton relay and most importantly, obtaining the green flag! It was a tedious process, however, we pulled through the interview process and even got ourselves and article written on the Eco-schools website.
Eco-schools was a commitment of mine wherein I was able to tackle issues of global significance by improving sustainability at school. Collaboration not only within the service group, but with other service groups was also relevant such as with the garden bed project. All in all, Eco-schools has taught me many skills that will be useful and that I can apply in my future endeavors.
LO5 Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
My CAS project with Filip and Andrean required all of us to work together to produce the tracks. By working collaboratively, we were able to add our own flavours to create unique tracks.
Overall, the CAS project was the cherry on top for me within the CAS program as I was able to create something with my friends, allowing me to express creative freedom and relax just before our finals.
LO7 Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions
For the Sri Lankan new year in 2022, I went to Yakkala to visit my grandparents. During the visit, I passed through the town area and noticed that there were many homeless, old people near the train station area. While there, I decided to do something and helped out by providing meals for the new year in the form of a package containing: rice, coconut, sugar, biscuits and chocolates. We only gave away around 10 packages, but it still makes a difference!
On a final note, I will carry with me the invaluable lessons gained from the many experiences I have had as part of the OSC community. The journey never ends and I hope I will never forget these times!