REWARD:--- On Friday, April 25, The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) candidates of the St. Dominic High School showcased their 18 months of CAS experiential learning. CAS is the acronym for Creativity Action Service and is a core part of the Diploma Programme curriculum and all students must complete it in order to be eligible for the IB Diploma. The students shared and discussed their involvement in activities such as do-it-yourself boat-building, becoming qualified first aid volunteers through the Red Cross, working with the Diabetes Foundation and the Youth wing of the AIDS Foundation, meeting the challenge of Zumba and belly dancing classes, writing for Teen Times and carrying out local projects that revolved around the theme "Living by the Water" for the international Comenius program.
The students discussed what they learned and the many challenges they encountered. For example, the Build A Boat project had a duration of almost two years and the students had to stay determined and committed to it. They had difficulty understanding the directions for the boat since they were unfamiliar with the nautical terminology for the parts of the boat. They realized that working as a team was an important factor for their success and each one had to take charge of his or her task. One student never used a sanding machine and would become frustrated. Eventually he realized that he improved his skill in that area and that gave him more confidence to complete the project with his team members.
CAS is a core programs within the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program which encourages inquiring, knowledgeable and caring lifelong learners through development of personal skills, open mindedness, and intercultural understanding and respect. All students planned their activities based on eight learning outcomes they were expected to achieve. They needed to be cognizant of how the proposed activity increased their awareness of their strengths and areas for growth, whether or not it was a new challenge or unfamiliar activity, show how they planned and initiated a project, worked collaboratively with others, demonstrated perseverance and commitment, engaged in issues of global importance, considered the ethical implications of their actions and developed new skills.
The St. Dominic High School and the IB Class of 2014 expresses thanks to the Honorable Minister of Health Dr. Cornelius de Weever, Head of the Inspection Division Mrs. Chantal Schaminee-Ringeling, Superintendents Mrs. Jacqueline Greene, Mrs. Ria Uiterloo and the Director Mrs. Lilia Aventurin from the Foundation Catholic Education, Mrs. L. Peterson of the Diabetes Foundation and Mr. Frank Boekhout, School Manager Mrs. Gianne Wilson, parents, teachers and all interested stakeholders who attended the presentation or contributed to the successful completion of its 2014 Creativity Action Service program.