BIS CAS Week (Creative - Activity - Service)

BIS CAS Week (Creative - Activity - Service) At BIS Hanoi, we value learning outside of the classroom environment and traditionally arrange a residential trip for Year 12 students to Mai Chau as part of their IB CAS programme. However, due to COVID, this cannot take place this academic year 2020-2021. Therefore, our IB team devised an alternative 4 days off timetable that aimed to foster similar skills to those acquired during the residential trip, particularly team building and community service.

At BIS Hanoi, we value learning outside of the classroom environment and traditionally arrange a residential trip for Year 12 students to Mai Chau as part of their IB CAS programme. However, due to COVID, this cannot take place this academic year 2020-2021. Therefore, our IB team devised an alternative 4 days off timetable that aimed to foster similar skills to those acquired during the residential trip, particularly team building and community service. 

Students enjoyed a variety of different activities throughout the four days. One of these was a trip to Dragon Valley, a farm that runs in conjunction with Blue Dragon - one of our charity partners. Here, students were given different tasks such as moving compost, planting cabbages and seeds. This was a chance for students to engage in some direct, meaningful service and they all said that they enjoyed being outside and connected with nature. One student reflected on this day “It was not only an amazing opportunity for us to work in Dragon Valley (a place for Blue Dragon children to heal their trauma) but also to get to know each other”.

Alongside a day trip outside of school, students also participated in a number of activities centered around their critical thinking skills and life skills. One of these was completing three different interdisciplinary projects, which required students to independently research different cross curricular topics and links to TOK. After this, students were engaging in some indirect service, such as advocating for a cause, they enjoyed this as it was also a chance to be creative. Time was also spent on University preparation and life skills, considering how to be a respectful person.

On the final day, students will be completing an ‘activity’ and a ‘creativity’ workshop, which are largely being held by our wonderful teachers and include activities such as kickboxing, Korean cooking, Tie-dying, ultimate frisbee, yoga and many more. The week will culminate with a BBQ with Year 13 to celebrate the end of their trial exams and our Year 12s finishing BISCAS- well done Year 12 and I can’t wait to see how you will reflect on this unique week in your CAS portfolios. 

Victoria Black

History Teacher / CAS Coordinator