It’s just two more weeks until the end of the semester, and therefore the end of my first DP year, with one more year to go. After an eventful year that alongside extensive academics – was also filled with a range of CAS activities – it’s time for a final reflection.

For my creativity segment I did much more than I initially planned in my first CAS post. Apart from concert band, for which we had weekly rehearsals and several performances for concerts, graduation and other events, I participated in an art competition raising awareness for marine pollution, and designed the kit logos for the volleyball and football. Being part of a large group like the band, collaborating is necessary to play well as a group. This was a good opportunity to develop my collaboration skills. At the end of the semester, I participated in a world-wide video competition, the Breakthrough Junior Challenge. This competition allows entries of a 3 minute video on a concept of the natural sciences, physics or math. The first prize is a scholarship for university so I really hope I will win.

The activity part was also extensive, and I participated in a sports activity each quarter. The first semester I focused on volleyball, with the culminating experience being the SAISA volleyball tournament in Kathmandu, Nepal. This was a truly memorable event, and apart from the playing, we had great time together as a team. I was also the team captain, so I developed my leadership and team working skills. After this I continued doing football, but a few weeks in I twisted by ankle, and could not start playing again unfortunately. As I wanted to continue doing sports, I started going to the gym twice a week, and took up running, a sport that I really enjoy but did not do regularly. I managed to run 10 km in 54 minutes, which was very satisfying and I realized my strength in this activity which I had not known earlier, which connects to the CAS learning outcome Identifying strengths and develop areas for growth. I continued both gym and running into the last term, but also started volleyball, meaning I had a filled few weeks at the end.

For the second semester of Hope for Kids service we did a range of successful activities and had the Dry Rations food drive, which was also a positive project and we supplied food bags to over 50 families. We started with activities that we usually do at intervals including mandala drawing and clay, which were quite enjoyed by the children. The food drive was a particularly productive and meaningful activity as it is much more personal to collect items and give them instead of donating money.

I appreciate the chance to address the global issue of cancer in a small, but in this context significant, way. As the children undergo a very difficult time, I feel very satisfied when we can make the children interested and entertained. This directly addresses the CAS learning outcome of engagement with issues of global significance. I became service leader as well, and this carries all sorts of obligations and responsibility when working collaboratively with my service group, but it is a very valuable experience and teaches me leadership skills, which I am sure I will benefit of in the future. I look forward to the next year at Hope for Kids.

For the following and final year of school, I plan to continue CAS activities as I truly realized their value in providing entertainment, distraction and balance to an intensive academic program. Although I really want to focus on academics for the final exams, I hope not having to give up any activities. Being the final school year of my life, I want to make the most out of it, to have good memories. Some exciting activities that I am considering to do is participating in a half-marathon and playing live music for the musical.