Creativity Activity Service at NAIS Pudong

What is CAS?

Creativity Activity Service, commonly known as CAS is a Core element of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Through CAS, students are encouraged to grow both personally and socially, developing skills such as cooperation, problem solving, conflict resolution, creative and critical thinking, as well as developing their own identities. CAS continues to develop students’ ability to engage in critical reflection, offering increasingly sophisticated opportunities for students to analyse their own thinking, effort and performance.

What does CAS look like at NAIS?

Experiences where IBDP students are given the opportunity to engage in significant collaboration with others can bring deep and lasting changes to individuals. The primary aim of CAS at NAIS is centered around this notion, aiming to develop every student’s sense of social responsibility and unlock their own potential. This journey starts in our Primary School and is embedded in all key stages through: Student Leadership, International Award, Guidance Lessons, Sports, CCAs, Mentoring, Global Campus and much more.

A well-established example of the above is our Model United Nations (MUN) CCA. MUN is an academic simulation of the United Nations where students play the role of delegates from different countries and attempt to solve real world issues with the policies and perspectives of their assigned country. This is a popular activity, addressing several of the CAS learning outcomes, facilitated by Mr Gichana, but is becoming increasingly student-led with the previous 5 years of NAIS MUN conferences being organized by Year 12 and 13 students as CAS Projects.

Further to this, Opening Minds, Opening Lives’ (OMOL) is a service project founded by seven Year 13 students. The aim of the project is providing a bilingual curriculum delivered through weekly virtual lessons to students at Nanyang Orphanage. Planning, collaboration and communication are key skills the CAS students develop when leading a self-initiated service project. OMOL epitomises the goals of CAS and laid the foundations for future CAS students to continue this rewarding and worthwhile project. More recently it was shortlisted for the Community Building section in the prestigious International Schools Award.

Many of our senior student athletes at NAIS also choose to coach our junior teams and volunteer to referee during tournaments and fixtures. The responsibility and challenge offered through service learning can be transformational and long lasting. Many CAS students gain new perspectives and begin to appreciate the task of managing young athletes. In the spirit of collaboration, CAS students also work alongside the parent community and are involved in fund-raising activities. Funds raised are donated to our affiliated charities such as “Heart to Heart” and “Shanghai Sunrise”.

CAS is not only a significant component of the IBDP Core, but also an integral part of the school community, benefiting each and every person involved.

Student views on their CAS experiences:

“Been a part of OMOL has been the highlight of the school year. It gave me an opportunity to give back to the community of a country that has raised me since kindergarten.”

Warren, Year 13

“I have participated in MUN since Year 12, where I have learnt how to represent different countries and learnt about their values. This experience has boosted my self-confidence and provided me assurance to speak publicly. I’m grateful for this opportunity as it has not only improved my skill set but has also provided the opportunity to work collaboratively with other members of the delegation towards shared goals.”

Antonina, Year 13

“When we first started coaching, we found were reliant on the teaching staff to help manage the younger students and make decisions when refereeing. However we are more confident now and really enjoy it. We have developed great relationships with the teams.”

Ben & Ryan, Year 12