Summer is nearly here!

This last week I have been going through all your folders and most people have been able to show that they have enough planned activities to gain a green flag.  Make sure that the plans come to fruition and don't leave everything to the last minute.  Next year will be busier than this year so getting some of your CAS done over the summer can be a good idea.

This link is to an organisation that has information about volunteer work in Sweden.  There are some activities coming up on National Day (6 June).

http://www.volontarbyran.org/for-volontarer/

You can sort the information for where you are and there is some information in English at http://www.volontarbyran.org/eng/about-volontarbyran/info-and-tips/.  Most of the activities are only in Swedish but it is possible to help even if you don't speak Swedish.  Ask a Swedish speaker to help you find something or see me and I can help you.

The Compassionate Journey's group is participating in a fun run - the 'colormerad' run http://www.colormerad.se/ in Bromma on the 7th June.  They are looking for people to sponsor them - the money will go to help a community in Ghana purchase bicycles so that the teachers can get to the schools.  You can sponsor by donating a set amount or per runner they get signed up.  They have about 6 people signed up.  See Charlotte, Laura or Thea about sponsoring.  There are posters up around and they should be looking around for sponsors so keep your eyes open.

Amnesty Day is going ahead on the 11 June.  The grade 12 students are planning this day even after their exams are over and their CAS is finished.  There will be a presentation and a debate by grade 9.

Supervisor Reports

I realise that exams are starting to take priority now but don't forget to send off supervisor reports for any activities that finish this term.  Fill in the CAS questions and then click the Request Supervisor Review button on the right hand side.  Make sure that you have filled in the correct email and name before sending it otherwise your supervisor will not be able to fill it in.  If you prefer to do it in paper form click the CAS completion form below and it will create a PDF document that you can print out and get filled in.  You can then scan the form into the CAS documents and let me know so that I can mark the activity as completed.

Get supervisor reports as soon as possible - don't wait as it is sometimes hard to find them 6 months after the event!

Good luck with the exams.

Keeping up with CAS

For grade 11s the first year is of the IB is nearing the end.  It's a good time to look at how far you have got with your CAS and see what areas need to be given a little more attention.

DO you  have  activities that cover all the 8 outcomes?

DO you have a CAS project - an activity that is collaborative, long term (at least 3 months), and is at least 2 of Creativity, Action and Service?

DO you have activities that cover all 3 of Creativity, Action and Service?

Remember that next year, you will have a lot of work to do and less time for CAS than you have had this year so try to aim to have a lot of the CAS done before the beginning of next term.  You must have activities that continue into the 4th term but it is hard to  find time for major projects in the last term.

If you have activities that are complete, make sure you fill in your CAS questions and request a supervisor report.  Don't wait too long to get a report from a supervisor as they might leave the school, change email or be hard to contact 6 months after an activity is over.

If you are lost for ideas come and see me or take a look at the page on the blog with webpages and inspirations.

If you have a red flag, you must make an appointment to see me in the next week.


Evidence!  Remember to keep up with adding evidence to ManageBac.  Upload your gym attendance now.  Sometimes when a gym updates their system all old statistics are deleted.  Some gyms delete statistics at the beginning of the year and start again.

Reflections!  Take some time to do a reflection for each activity.  Make it a good one.  Think about what you have learnt and how you are working towards meeting the outcomes.  Regular reflection is easier than trying to make it up at the end.

The Compassionate Journeys group is working towards running to raise money.  Look out for an opportunity to sponsor them!  Meeting Tuesday 10.30

The Amnesty group is planning a theme day on June 11.  If you are interested in helping attend next week's meeting in C10 on Friday at 10.30.

The Rhino group have a web page in the making:  http://rhinopreservationstockholm.wordpress.com
and are planning some presentations and a fund raising even for the beginning of next term. Meeting Wednesday 10.30.

Increased awareness of your strengths and areas for growth

This is not always so easy to reflect on.  It takes a critical eye to work out what you need to do to improve and what you are actually already good at.  Take a look at yourself.   Do you stick to things that you are good at?  What are those skills?  What areas do you need to work on?  Refer to the IB learner profile.  Which of those attributes are you weakest in?  Could you develop one or more them through your CAS activity?    They are listed here below.  Read them through.  Look at the document we did at the beginning of the year where you wrote down you goals for CAS and where your strengths and weaknesses lie.  It should be in your CAS folder on ManageBac.   See if you can reflect on this aspect over the next month.

Inquirers 

They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.

Knowledgeable

They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.

Thinkers

They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.

Communicators

They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.

Principled

They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.

Open-minded

They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.

Caring

They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.

Risk-takers

They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.

Balanced

They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.

Reflective

They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.