Reasons to be a CAS coordinator

It's not always fun and games being a CAS coordinator.  A lot of the time is spent going through the portfolios on Managebac and writing notes.  Often the notes are things like - read the note I wrote last week or please see previous note...  Not the most satisfying part of the job.  I also spend a bit of time each week writing this blog.  Which is OK.  But sometimes I think that not many people read it.  Not all students have activated their subscriptions despite the fact that we are now nearing the end of the DP.  Sometimes, something happens that makes it all worth it.

Well done Axel

A couple of months ago I wrote on my blog about a group of volunteers that help young refugees by providing homework help twice a week.  This group is called, Fånga Framtiden Tillsammans. (Seize the Future in English or FFT for short).  Each year they have a party in December for the for the volunteers and the refugees.  I thought it might be nice if this year we could organise a presents for the students - movie tickets.  They are mostly young people who go to Swedish Gymnasium and are studying Swedish. Giving them movie tickets would give them the chance to do something enjoyable that they otherwise couldn't afford.  To pay for the tickets, I would need about 5000kr.  At first no one came with any suggestions but then one day Axel asked me about it.  He was interested in doing something and through Facebook found a donor who would buy the tickets.  This evening, Axel and some other grade 12 students are going along to the party to help set up.

Axel has inspired other students to ask about becoming volunteers.  To do this you need to be able to speak Swedish - a plus if you are good at maths as there is often a shortage of maths help!  You can sign up via www.volontarbyran.org/fanga-framtiden-tillsammans or you can contact them on Facebook.  You can come once, twice or however often you like - you sign up the day before depending of how much time you have and how many students are coming.  They meet between 6 and 8PM at 2 locations on Södermalm.

Thank you Axel - for both reading my blog and taking action as well as inspiring others.

More inspiration from Nepal

Kresimir gave an informative and inspiring presentation about the Nepal Project in advisory this week.  He even responded to some thought provoking questions from classmates about the project its feasibility and sustainability.  Whilst it can be hard to be questioned when one is doing a good thing, Kresimir handled it with finesse.  What pleased me the most was the way students were able to engage in reflective and critical dialogue about what we do in school.  Sometimes I think that students just join projects because they have to do CAS or it looks good in their university applications and they don't really think about what they are doing.  When we are asked to defend our ideas, we are given a chance to show why it matters and how we care. We will always have to face people who question what we do and it is good to have the answers ready as Kresimir did.  This is a good example of something to reflect about in your CAS portfolio.  (That's a hint).  Great work by the Nepal group to raise 5800kr through the sale of candy canes. ( Note: the 11th graders were very active in this!)

Rhino group gets it together!

Yesterday I couldn't make it to the rhino group meeting so I left a note on the board in my room.  To be honest I have been rather harsh.  They have had a goal to raise awareness and €300 for the KZN project which is part of the African Conservation Trust.  The deadline for the fundraising is the end of December.  Yesterday they had €73 Euros to go.  They have had a gala evening with some wonderful performances by classmates - unfortunately the attendance was quite poor.  They have sold friendship bands, post cards and rhino cookies.  They know that if they were to sell cupcakes they could make the money in a week.  People here love cupcakes.  I have insisted that everything they sell has to have a connection to the project and everyone who purchases something must be given a message about the project.  That doesn't make it easy. But doing something good, should not always be easy.  Yesterday they surprised me. They had raised over €30 more and are hoping to get the rest of the money today.  Look out for the rhino cookies and think about how you are helping save one of the world's most amazing creatures from extinction.   You can see their fund raising page at SIS Rhino Group

Update - on the afternoon of the 15 they were just €7 from their goal.  Not bad!

The Power of the Pen

The Amnesty Group that is now mostly grade 11 students are continuing the activism that grade 12s had begun with a new Right for Writes campaign.  This year the focus was on Zeynab Jalalian who is detained in Iran.  She has medical problems and is in danger of losing her eyesight if she does not receive health care soon.  The SIS group collected 52 signatures that will be sent with others from the Amnesty office to the Embassy of Iran.  You can still sign the petition electronically if you didn't get a chance.  Click here.  

A lot of people wonder if it really helps to write letters.  The fact is, it does.  Read here about some of the successful letter writing campaigns that Amnesty has led in the past.







I have spent so much time writing about the things that make it great to do my job that I haven't checked your CAS portfolios today.  Make sure you go through them over the break and look at previous blogs and notes to see what needs to be done.

Enjoy the break and keep up the good work.

Are All your Experiences Current?

You must participate in CAS until you start your exams but you should have a green tick for all completed experiences.

If you do not have this mark next to your experience, that means that you are actively participating in it still.  That in turn means that you must be active in uploading evidence and reflections to go with that experience.

Take the time now to get the green tick for as many experiences as you can.  Just make sure you keep one going.

How do I get a green tick?

• Submit evidence to show that your have done what you said you would - this can be photos, videos, emails, documents, recordings, etc
• Submit reflections about what you have learnt and how you felt.  This can be written or an oral/video recording. 
• Make sure you show how you met the chosen learning outcome.
• Complete the CAS questions
• Request a supervisor report (if you don't have a supervisor it goes to me).
• Once the supervisor report is filled in - the green tick magically appears.

Don't leave CAS to the last minute

Next term you will be even busier than this term.  Make sure you take the time now to update your CAS portfolio and finish completed experiences so that you do not have to worry about it so much in the midst of your last term.

Exams Approaching - Get your CAS under control

I am pleased to write that most people now have green flags and those who don't are mostly one document away from it!  I feel confident that all of you will qualify to have your CAS portfolio marked complete in June and be able to pick up the IB Diploma at the end!

However do not start to forget about CAS as it must continue into the end and you must keep up with reflections and evidence.  It would be crazy to fall behind now.

Don't jump off the bike yet - there's still 6 months to go!

Good luck with your exams next week and see me if you have any questions about your CAS portfolios.  Next Tuesday Advisory lesson will be a study period and time for me to meet up with anyone that I still have some questions or concerns about.  

Feeling stressed?  

The QQ is going to run an article about exam stress.  Why not tell them your story? Look out for a reporter near you.

Projects Covered!

Great effort most of you!  All but 9 students have shown the almost completed the CAS stages for their CAS projects as well as met the other requirements and are well on the way to having complete CAS portfolios.

The 9 people with red flags have until the end of the exam week to get it fixed before I will have to contact their parents and warn them that their child might not get a Diploma.  I am not expecting this will happen because no one gets this far and then doesn't bother to fill in one document and miss out on a Diploma.  Do they?

You should all be proud of the effort you have put into your CAS projects.  There have been some amazing achievements.  Here is a list of what you have done:

• Started a football club for younger students after school
• Read to children after school in the library
• Created a website for the Nepal Project
• Held fundraising activities for the Rhino project
• Started a film club for students 
• Made films to raise awareness about anti-bullying
• Started a sports club for DP students and made a vlog about it
• Ran activists projects for Amnesty International
• Made cartoons to tell people about the need to protect rhinos
• Held concerts to raise money for the Nepal project
• Organised MUN conference at the school

Time to Tidy your Portfolio

It's been a while between blogs but I see that there has been some action on the CAS portfolios.  I know that it is easy to forget about CAS in the middle of all the assessments but try to give it a few minutes each week as it is much easier to add evidence and reflect as you go along than it is at the end.  With regards to reflections - they must be continuous.  You will not be able to have a completed CAS portfolio if you have not taken time to reflect as you go along.

Next term I will run some CAS sessions in advisory to make sure you get a chance to reflect informally and formally, individually and in groups.  Towards the end of the term, before the exams, you will need to :

• show how you have worked towards the 7 outcomes, 
• demonstrate the CAS stages for you collaborative project 
• have a balance of Creativity, Activity and Service

Axel's Clothing Drive

Axel is once again organising a clothing drive for Xmas.  Here is a note from him:

Hi everyone. I am organizing a refugee clothing drive on behalf of the Annexe C student council, in partnership with Stockholm's Stadsmission. Boxes have been placed in the main building, annexe B and annexe C. Donated clothing will be highly appreciated. It's for a good cause! Thanks.

Decoders wanted for Amnesty International

I just received an sms from Amnesty about an urgent project they need help with.  Unlike many other Amnesty projects you can do this by sitting at your computer. It involves mapping the most remote and vulnerable villages of Dafur. It is done by looking at satellite images and clicking on villages.  They have so many images, they need as many people as possible to log villages.  All explanations are in English and easy to follow.  Remember to take a screenshot of your work as evidence for CAS.  https://decoders.amnesty.org/

Amnesty again death penalty

Our school Amnesty group recently sent off around 80 signatures to get the case of death sentenced Kevin Cooper re-heard.  Let's hope it has an impact.  From what they group could see this man is most likely innocent, and to put him to death would be a travesty of justice.  

Rhino Gala

On Friday the rhino group held their gala event.  It was not so well attended which gives them something to reflect upon in their CAS portfolios.  Despite that they were able to add over 300kr to their fundraising efforts for the Project Rhino KZN .  Thank you to all the wonderful people who supported them by performing and attending the event.  They still have plenty of postcards and friendship bands for sale and hope to reach their goal of €300 euros.  Look out for an opportunity to support them by purchasing items.  

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?

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

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 Fånga 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?

Impending Interviews

I will be starting interviews on Wednesday 12th October.  Click here to see your time.  Please write 'confirm' if your time is OK.  By OK, I mean it is a time when you have class in annexe C.  If you are in another building at that time, please see me to change it.

Red Flags

It was good to see some activity on the portfolios after I had put up the red flags. Mostly, I have left red flags there for people who do not have a project that follows the CAS stages.  This is mandatory. Without it no diploma.  Please try to get your portfolio up-to-date before the interview so that it is not a waste of both your and my time.  

Santa Run

Would you like to be part of a fun run in a santa costume?  You can help out or you can run.  It is to raise money for charity.  To find more about it you can check out https://www.facebook.com/stockholmsantaclausrun/

If you are interested you can email Kiana at info@stockholmsantarun.com

Sounds like great fun!

Still don't have a project?

I am hoping to get a group who can raise money for a group of refugees that I do volunteer work with.  We are hoping to be able to buy them movie tickets for Christmas this year.  We would need around 5000 kr (50 tickets).  If you think this is something you could help out with please let me know.  I will be speaking to the grade 11s about it on Tuesday.  

Rhino Group Events - Go Rhinos!

Rhino gala evening on the 21st October.  Be there or be square.  Talking of the rhino group, it was great to see so many 12s and even some 11s at the annual march for Rhinos and Elephants.  This is the 3rd year that SIS students have participated.  

Stockholm Film Festival is looking for volunteers!

If you are interested you need to send a CV and a short personal letter to volontar@stockholmfilmfestival.se. You should say what kind of work you are interested in.  See the web page for details: stockholmfilmfestival.se  The information is in Swedish but every year they have taken volunteers who don't speak Swedish so don't be afraid to apply.  Ask for help if you need it.

More

There are plenty off opportunities on volontarbyran just now so take a look.

Red Flag Blitz!

I have taken a careful look at the folders this week and issued a lot of red flags.  What I have really focussed on is the CAS project. You will have received at a red flag if:

• you do not have a project
• you have started a project but it hasn't really gone anywhere
• you have done/are doing a project but there is not evidence to show the CAS stages
• you have completed a project but do not have enough evidence of the CAS stages.

The CAS stages document can be found in the pages of this blog - under 'links to documents'

You are only going to get busier now so it is important to get the project done!

Reflections

Take a look at some great reflections here.  Be inspired to make really good quality reflections that address the learning outcomes and show that you have really gained something from doing CAS.

Project Opportunity

I am involved with a group that works with refugees - mostly unaccompanied minors - and we are hoping to buy movie tickets for the young people for Christmas.  If you are interested in raising money for this it is a potential project.  I will be talking about it to the grade 11s in a week or so.  We will need around 5000kr by the beginning of December.

Other Opportunities

Film competition

Amnesty International has a film competition called 'Angeläget'.  The theme is Human Rights (human rights are defined according to the 30 articles in the United Nations declaration of human rights)

• Films should be - max. 8 minutes long
• You should be under 20 to participate
• You have to sign an agreement that they can use your film. 

You can find all the regulations and some sample films from previous years on the Amnesty Page. The deadline is December the 16th. All the details are in Swedish so if you need help ask a Swedish friend or come and see me.

Volunteers wanted for the Brazilian film festival

The only requirement for volunteers was that you can speak English or Swedish. Click here to apply to help with this exciting cultural festival in October. Information is in Swedish so ask if you need help

Stockholm Fringe theatre festival 

Volunteers are wanted to help out at this event in October - you get free entry to events. Information in Swedish here.


Rhino March
I hope to see many of you at the rhino march this Saturday - the rhino group have put in a lot of effort to make posters for the march.

Keep up with your CAS Portfolio!

I just did my weekly check of the the CAS portfolios and was a little surprised by the lack of changes. Only a couple of people had actually made any changes since last week.  Don't forget your CAS! You might be on track now but you can easily fall off and you do not want to be having to put in major effort in January when you have exam stress.  CAS must be ongoing.  You should be working on something all the time.

Check my comments!

Act on my comments!

Keep up with CAS!

Events coming up

Rhino March - 24th September.  Join us to march to protest rhino (and elephant) poaching.  Everyone is welcome even if you are not a member of the rhino group.  We meet at 2PM outside the Thai Embassy on Florgatan (just behind Humlegården).  

Opportunities

Would you like to volunteer to help people with dementia?  A home in Sköndal is looking for volunteers to spend time with the people who live there - just to talk.  They are particularly looking for people who can speak Polish or Finnish.  

See: skondal/vara-boende-med-demenssjukdom-behover-medmansligt-stod for more details. It is in Swedish so ask for help if you can't speak Swedish.

There are may other jobs available on www.volontarbyran.org particularly if your speak Swedish, or are good at maths or IT.

The easiest 10 km in Stockholm

Hässelbyloppet is thought to be one of the easiest 10 km runs in Stockholm - it's very flat.  See here for more details of this and other runs coming up.

Portfolio Updates

I have been through the CAS portfolios a couple of times this term.  I have left notes on quite a few.  Please check your notes and make sure you take action to rectify issues.  I will be starting interviews in late September/early October.  Please see that you have:

• finished off any completed experiences by doing the CAS questions and requesting a review.
• acted on any notes that I have written
• have evidence for all experiences 
• shown the CAS stages for one of your projects
• done high quality reflections addressing each of the learning outcomes
• Covered all 3 strands and all 7 outcomes

Reflections

Don't forget to check out the good examples of reflections on the pages at the side or click here: reflections

There are some very inspiring and honest reflections done by your classmates.

Rhino Warrior

Coming Up

Rhino Gala Evening

The Rhino Preservation group is planning an exciting evening of entertainment to raise money to help protect the rhinos in Africa.  More details to come.

Opportunities

Lidingö Loppet

A fun run with many categories on the 24th September.  Details: .lidingoloppet.

Computer Help

An organisation is looking for people to help others use computers.  They are in the International Library at Odenplan on Thursdays between 17.00 and 19.00.  More info: individuell-manniskohjalpim.  It's in Swedish but I think it is Ok if you speak other languages.  Let me know if you need help.

Welcome Back

It was great to have a chance to look at your CAS portfolios and see some of the great work that you have done.  I want to commend those of you whose reflections were read out in class as they were of a quality that really shows the value of CAS.  If you were not in class or wish to see the reflections again - you can find them here.

Making sure you will complete CAS

You must now check that you have:

• A project that clear shows you have followed the CAS stages and worked collaboratively on it with other(s).
• Quality reflections for all your experiences
• Evidence for all your experiences
• A balanced CAS portfolio with short and long term experiences as well as a good mixture of Creativity, Activity and Service
• CAS questions filled in for all completed experiences have the (you do not need to do all of them if they are already covered in the reflections but do always answer the last one!)
• Covered the 7 outcomes and have evidence and reflections that clearly show how.

Opportunities coming up

Tjurreset - Mud Run

Volunteers are wanted for the Tjurruset.  This is a fun terrain run with lots of mud involved in Flottsbro - just south of the city.  You can volunteer to be a functionary by contacting: Per at per.synnerman@gmail.com-

You can also join the run yourself for activity: See the web page at Tjurruset.  It takes place on October the 1st and 2nd.

Stockholm International Film Festival 

If you would like to help out at the Film Festival this year between the 9 - 20th November, you need to send a CV and short personal letter to volontar@stockholmfilmfestival.se. You should write 'event personnel' in the subject line of the email. More information can be found at SFF

Illustrate Articles about Human Rights

Are you good at drawing?  Here is an opportunity to use those skills for a service experience. Kalityfonden needs people to draw pictures to go with articles in a series called Untold Stories. See https://www.volontarbyran.org/en/node/78529 for more details.

Graphic designers for TEDx Stockholm

"We want you to be a part of the TEDx talks team in Stockholm. We are looking for someone who is a fan of the TED brand, and wants the opportunity to bring their own fun ideas to the table as great creative freedom is given.

From designing social media content, posters, and merchandise, the possibilities are endless, the only thing needed is the initiative to make it happen!"  Click here for more details: TEDx

Writers wanted for Vamter.org

An organisation called Eosos whose aim it to give support to children and their education has just started a webpage.  It wishes to publish well written articles about any topic in English.  The site is: http://vamter.org/.  You can read more details on the site - all profits go to children's education. 

Many other opportunities

On www.volontarbyran.org just now there are a lot of jobs helping people who have recently arrived in Sweden with Rädda Barnen in  Bromma, and for  Individuell Människohjälp.  You can also work in the RedCross shops on Kungsholmen and Hornsgatan and helping at Birkagården with selling of second hand children's clothes to raise money for refugees.   

Keep and eye on volontär byrån for more opportunities.  

The new meeting times for in school groups this term are:

Monday 10.30 Amnesty International C10

Tuesday 10.30 MUN in C5

Weds 10.30 Rhino Group C10

Weds 10.30 Student Council C9

Weds 15.30 The student newspaper - Quirky Quibbler

Last Post before the Summer!

Portfolios

I have taken a look through all the portfolio's once again since the interviews. I see that some people have not followed up on points that we discussed whilst others have. I know that everyone has been busy with exams over the last few weeks so now is the time to revisit your portfolio and look that notes we made together.  I have added some new notes so check them before the break in case there are any questions.

Projects

You will have some time in advisory this week to make plans for projects. Remember a project must be done in a group (at least 2 people) and you must show how you have followed the CAS stages:
Investigation, Planning, Action, Reflecting and Demonstration. You should have started - or even finished your project by now.  If you haven't, there is no better time to start than the present.

Reviews

Don't forget to do the CAS questions and get supervisor reviews for completed experiences or ones where your supervisor is leaving.  Always do the CAS questions before sending the request for the review.  Once a review is completed, the worksheet will lock.

Great Work

I have heard and seen some fantastic stuff that has happened as part of CAS. Most recently I have heard what a great job Stine, Angela and Ilman have done running the after school football club for the younger students.  This has been very much appreciated by the parents and the children.  

Sofia E recently helped out at the Amnesty 'Run For Pride' event in Stockholm.  A colourful event attended by students from all over Stockholm.  

Alexane has an amazing CAS portfolio and has directed a play, as well as attending the Nordic Network sports weekend.

Shashank and Leaondro seem to have got a lot of students involved in their film club. I hope that more will manage to enter the film competitions next year.

David and William have managed to engage a few others in physical activity and can their vlog can be seen on youtbe.

Many students have helped bringing you the news every week on the Quirky Quibbler.

Many others have also been involved in a variety of experiences and I have enjoyed reading your reflections.

Opportunities

HIV unconvered is looking for people to help with social media and making videos.  You can find the information (in English) at https://www.volontarbyran.org/en/english

Will you be around on the 11 June?  Make Music Stockholm is looking for volunteers for a music festival. Information: https://www.volontarbyran.org/make-musik-sthlm/make-musik-sthlm-2016

Red Cross is looking for young volunteers (over 16)  to work with young unaccompanied refugees during weeks 31 - 33. This will take place in central Stockholm.  Information: https://www.volontarbyran.org/roda-korsets-ungdomsforbund-riks/vill-du-gora-nagot-givande-i-sommar-engagera-dig-och-med


There are many other jobs on voluntärbyrån and new ones are being added all the time so keep an eye out if you are looking for something in the summer.

Have a great summer!

Last interviews

Interviews complete

This is the last week for interviews for CAS this term.  I hope that I have met everyone - if for some reason you have not had a meeting with me and don't have one booked this week, please see me as soon as possible.

Most of you have a good variety of experiences and are well on your way to having complete CAS portfolios at the end of grade 12.  Don't forget to do the CAS questions and get supervisor reviews for any experiences that are already completed.  Don't wait too long after completion to do this.

CAS and Ethics

This is one of the outcomes that many people find hardest to meet and reflect upon.  A new book (see details below) that has just been published about CAS gives the following example:

A student in a dance performance had her leg in a cast after she tore a muscle and wouldn't be able to train with the other dancers in the last weeks leading up to the performance. The producers of the show had to make the decision to exclude her as she wouldn't have time to catch up when her cast was removed.  Decisions like this that you have to make - accepting or not accepting people as part of a group, or their piece of work etc are important if difficult decisions that involve ethical considerations.

You can think about ethical decisions you have made in the following contexts: 

• sport
• dealing with other people
• carrying out a service experience
• in terms of academic honesty
• reflection

Think about how often "we make decisions in CAS relative to the feelings of our peer group."

Cannings, John, María Inés Piaggio, Peter Muir, and Tom Brodie. Creativity, Activity, Service CAS for the IB Diploma An Essential Guide for Students. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ Pr, 2015. Print.

Amnesty - Run with Pride

It's not too late to sign up for the Amnesty Pride run this Sunday.  Take a break from studying and give your brain some fresh air! 

stockholm/amnestyloppet-run-with-pride

Summer volunteers

For those of you who are here in the summer there are quite a few opportunities on Volontärbyrån.  Many of them require Swedish but keep an eye out as jobs pop up all the time.

Working with refugees in the summer

If anyone is interested in working with refugees and asylum seekers here in Sweden over the summer, please come and seem me.  For many young unaccompanied asylum seekers, the summer can be a very long period of time without school and not much to keep them occupied.  They have little money and not much to do.  I have contact with a group - Fånga Framtiden Tillsamans - 'Catch the Future Together'.  This group would like to organise some activities for the young people over the summer.  You can get involved, even if you don't speak Swedish.

I will not post on the blog next week as you have exams and I will be away with the grade 12s.  

Plan for the Summer

What are you doing in the summer?

There are a lot of volunteer opportunities for people who wish to do something in the summer break. I have listed a few here below from the Swedish volunteer site but I know that many of you are not going to be in Stockholm over the summer.  Will you have some time to do something in your own country?  Many help organizations need extra people in the summer when everyone goes on holiday.  If you think that you could give up a week or 2 of your summer, now is the time to look into it.  Find out what is available where you come from and see if there is something you can sign up for now.  This can count for CAS – just remember to get some evidence – a reference from the supervisor at the organization is great not only for your CAS portfolio but can come in handy when you are looking for jobs and further studies in the future.

 Here are some of the jobs that are available in Sweden.  The first is in English but the others are not.  I think that it is still possible to help out with the others –it can’t hurt to apply.  Use googletranslate, a friend who speaks Swedish or me to help you understand.  I have put a short summary in English a the end of each postion.

 Action 10

Action10 is a nonprofit organization operating in low-income countries (www.action10.org). We have programmes in seven countries: Kenya, Uganda, Togo, Cameroon, Liberia, Nigeria and Colombia. Our vision is a world without extreme poverty.

We are currently looking for more volunteers to join our Evaluation Planning Working Group. The group's responsibility is to ensure that all programs are carried out in accordance with our ten "actions" (needs-driven programs, resilience, quality values, equal partnerships, etc.). The group uses Action10's own evaluation method called The Ten Action Strategy. Furthermore, the group's responsibility is to collect and analyze the results of our programmes as well as maintain regular contact with our focal points in other countries.

When and where will the volunteering take place: 

The tasks are ongoing and all the meetings are held in Stockholm.

See action 10 for more details

Retoy

Lek är något som förenar alla barn, vart vi än befinner oss, vilket gör just leken och leksaken till ett utmärkt verktyg för att öva oss på hållbar konsumtion!

Retoys Leksaksbytesaktiviten är en uppskattad mötesplats som på ett skojigt sätt låter barn praktisera smart resurshantering och göra dem medvetna om deras roll i att skapa en hållbar framtid genom att byta och återvinna.

Din roll är att agera bytesaktiviteten vilket innebär att du kommer att ta emot barnen och deras leksaker, hantera stämpelkort och vägleda barnen i hur leksaksbytes går till. Du kommer att få förklara aktiviteten och inspirera barnen att skapa bilder av allt bra som barn i hela världen har rätt till!

När och var ska uppdraget genomföras: 

Från 9:e till 18:e juni kommer vi att arrangera leksaksbytesaktiviteter i samband med clownen Mannes föreställningar under hans parkteaterturné runt om i Stockholm! Vi söker dig som vill vara med och hjälpa till under några av dessa intensiva och roliga dagar. Spelplatserna varierar men tiderna är 10:00-13.00

This is a group that works with children.  This particular job is helping out on a toy exchange day.  They want people who speak other languages so lack of Swedish can be compensated by your skills in other languages.  The main days they need help are the 9th and 18th of June.

 More information: retoy

 Volontärbyrån

Volontärbyrån hjälper människor och ideella organisationer att hitta varandra och vi tror på att man mår bra av att engagera sig ideellt i samhället och vill därför vill vi ge fler möjligheten att hitta sitt volontäruppdrag. Vi arbetar med att förmedla kontakten mellan ideella organisationer i Sverige och de volontärer som vill engagera sig. Nu söker vi dig som vill hjälpa oss med detta arbete under nationaldagen då vi har möjlighet att nå ut till 20 000 personer!

Vi söker flera volontärer som vill hänga med oss i vårt informationstält och på festivalområdet för att dela ut flyers och uppmuntra till ideellt engagemang! Vi kommer troligtvis att genomföra en del tävlingar och ha frågesport eller något liknande och till det här evenemanget behöver vi din hjälp!

Vi kommer också att bygga upp och river ned informationstältet under dagen, om du kan komma tidigt eller stanna sent på dagen så är det uppgifter som ingår för dig som volontär.

On the 6^th June (Swedish National Day) there is always a bit celebration in Rålombshov Park on Kungsholmen.  Voluntärbryån (the volunteer organization) needs people to help set up their stall and give out information about their work.

More information: volontärbyrån

 Raoul Wallenberg Academy

Under Raoul Wallenbergs dag den 27 augusti kommer det nationella skolprojektet ”Varje människa kan göra skillnad” att visas upp för allmänheten.

Skolklasser runt om i Sverige har fått varsin kub (3x3x3 meter), där de på olika sätt skapat sin tolkning av en mänsklig rättighet. Vi söker nu volontärer som under ett pass om ca tre timmar bemannar en kub, hälsar besökare välkomna och ser till att hjälpa lärare och elever att hålla ordning i kuberna.

När och var ska uppdraget genomföras: 

Kuberna är uppställda i Kungsträdgården i centrala Stockholm mellan den 26-28 augusti.

This organization works for encourage young leaders.  They will have stalls set up in Kunsgträdgården on the 26^th – 28^th of August and need people to help out.  School children will be coming with cubes that they have use to display their interpretation of human rights.

More information: Raoul Wallenberg Academy