Friday 21 October 2016

Interviews over - work still to be done!

I have nearly finished the interviews for this term.  You will have one more interview next term.  The point of the final interview will be to reflect on what you have learnt by doing CAS.  You will be asked to show how you have worked towards each of the learning outcomes and how you have developed as a learner.  We will do some work in advisory time with regards to making sure everyone has clearly shown how he/she has met the outcomes.

Most red flags are because people do not have projects or have not shown the CAS stages for the projects.  Don't leave this too long - or it will be too late.

Don't leave it too late
Originally drawn in a fan art group app for Alice in Wonderland at Sketchfu.
© 2014 Miss A.. Licensed under CC-BY.
'Electric' Chair

Over the next weeks in school

The Amnesty International group is collection signatures for a petition to get the case of death row prisoner in the USA to have his case reheard.  There is some doubt about Kevin Cooper's guilt and activists would like this to be investigated before he is put to death.  Look out for the Amnesty students with the 'electric chair'.


The Rhino group is planning a gala evening to raise money to protect rhinos.  You can donate to the cause at: https://www.givengain.com/activist/136687/projects/12381/
You can also purchase tickets for the event, friendship bands, post cards and guess the candy in the jar.  Look out for rhino warriors asking you to support this cause.  Watch the rhino video below and follow Riley's adventures. Subscribe to the SIS Rhino group on youtube.




Also don't forget to keep up with all the latest news at the Quirky Quibbler.  This week there is an exciting account of the Nordic Championships.  Why not subscribe so that you never miss an article?

Wednesday 12 October 2016

CAS status changes

Today I started the interviews and have been pleased to be able to change some red flags to green and even award a gold cup for a great CAS portfolio.

To make your CAS interview go smoothly, please look at your portfolio before the interview.  Read the notes and make the changes necessary to achieve a green flag.

You will not get a green flag without a project and evidence of the CAS stages.

I might not get time to check all the CAS portfolios each week while the interviews are going on so please don't be surprised if you make changes and I don't change you status.  I will change it when we have the interview.



Learning Outcomes and Reflections - what is the connection?

When writing reflections (or recording) please note what learning outcomes you have selected for that experience.  When I am going through the portfolios at the end of the year, I will be looking for specific evidence/reflection that shows that you met each of the 7 learning outcomes. In order for you portfolio to be considered complete, I must be able to find experiences that clearly show how you met the outcomes.

If you have chosen : Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences - You must show how you did that.  
  • It might mean that you went to the gym every week.  
  • That you continued training outdoors even when the weather was cold and you really wanted to stay in bed.  
  • That you turned up to help someone with their homework even when you had a test the next day. 
  • That you kept on working towards a date for an event even when other members of the group started to drop out.
  • It might mean continuing with something even though you don't like it, because you made a commitment. 

Show some commitment and perseverance! 
Picture by https://www.flickr.com/photos/htakashi/5420516454




Saturday 8 October 2016

From Red to Green to Flags

Some of you have managed to move from red to green flags over the last week.  Great work.  The main reason that people still have red flags is the CAS project.  For a CAS project you must show the CAS stages of: investigation, planning, taking action, demonstrating and reflecting.   You can find more details about each of these and what you should include on the 'links to documents page'.



Raise Money to buy Xmas Presents for Refugees

I am still looking for a group of people to help with this project.  We will need 5000kr so buy movie tickets for everyone in the group.  These are people around your age - many of them here in Sweden without other family members.  They meet regularly for homework help through a group called FĂ„nga Framtiden Tillsammans (Seize the Future Together).  FFT is a completely volunteer organisation with no paid staff.  If you can help to raise this money, you will make life a little better for a few people who otherwise don't have much.

Volunteers Wanted:

"We are looking for a volunteer photographer for the Civil Society Gala. We need someone to take pictures of participants, speakers and genre pictures of the event. We also want you to sort and edit images, and deliver a portfolio within a few days. For us to follow-up the event and to use in our future communications work. The long-term aim of these images, as well as with civil society gala, is to support and spread the idea of ​volunterism is worth celebration, and that the NGOs have an indispensable role in society. We hope that you want to help out with this! There is no financial compensation, but you may participate in the dinner, your images will be spread and you get a reference for your work. You also get the opportunity to do something important for the Swedish civil society!"

More details can be found here 

Some of the QQ team

Rhino Gala - 21st of October

Don't forget that our intrepid Rhino group are planning a fun evening with music, films and art on the 21st of October.  Look for the posters.

Quirky Quibbler

This week the QQ is featuring an article by Elena in grade 11 and it's all about CAS!  You haven't forgotten to subscribe to the student newspaper have you?