Status updates

Do you have a red flag??????

If you do, it means I am  worried about your  CAS folders. Most of you have done the activities but you have not followed through with CAS questions and supervisor reports.  Without these the CAS folder is not complete.  Remember that supervisors can need reminders and often take a few weeks to respond - don't leave it to late to send off that request and contact your supervisor.

Remember - if CAS is not completed you will not be eligible for the IB Diploma.

No flag?

That means you probably have done some reports but not enough to make me feel like it is 100% certain that you will get it all done on time.  Take a look at your folder and finish it up.  Don't forget the final refection.  There is an example on the blog and 2 examples on the pink notice board.

Green Flag?

I am fairly confident that you will get it all finished but  you are not there yet so keep going.  You also need to upload your final visual reflection - see previous post for details or take a look at the examples on the pink notice board.

Gold Medal?

There are only a couple of those.  They are for people who have only one incomplete activity and just need to do the final visual reflection ( actually one person has already done that!  You can see his example on the pink notice board).

DON'T WAIT

Complete your CAS now - you  do not want phone calls from me during study week!

Final Reflections

As you near the end of your studies, it's important that you make sure your CAS folder is completed.

• CAS questions should be done for all activities
• Supervisor reports in for all activities
• Check that you have covered all the 8 outcomes
• Check that you have all the hours worked out for Creativity, Action and Service

Final Reflection - a visual representation of what you have learned from CAS

In the last post I gave an example of how to do your final reflection and you have had time to do that in Advisory.  There is no advisory lesson this week, so I will not be able to come and help you with these until the following week - your last day.  I know that some people have already done them and that is great.  When it is finished upload it in the CAS documents. 

If you did it by hand (rather than electronically) you can take a picture and upload that .  Once that is done and your reports are in you will receive a gold medal to show that everything is complete.

Status

I have updated the status markers and people who have not done much (often have done nothing) since our last interview have been down graded. Green flags are only given to people who have mostly green ticks (that is completed activities)

Gold Medal - basically completed and final reflection uploaded in documents

Green Flags - most activities completed, still need to do final reflection

No flag - some complete. some not, no final reflection

Red flag - very few completed activities - AT RISK OF NOT BEING ELIGIBLE FOR DIPLOMA

If you have any questions please come and see me.

If you have a red flag on Monday, I will have to notify your parents.  This must be completed before you go on study leave.

It's nearly over!

As you rush towards your exams, you will start to be winding up with your activities.  I know that some of you will continue some activities long after the IB is over.  It is great that you have found activities that have interested you and that you wish to continue.  I hope that you have even gained value experience from all the other activities and that the skills you have gained will help you  in the future.

What do you have to do now?

Before you start your exams, you should get your CAS folder in order.  

• upload any evidence or refections that are missing
• check that you have reflections for all the outcomes - a yellow bar means that you have missed on
• check that the dates and hours are correct.  It is not possible to get a 'complete' for an activity of 50 hours if you only did 20.  Be real - otherwise you might find yourself way short of your target at the end
• write up the CAS questions for all activities
• send for a supervisor report for all activities

If you have your supervisor report on paper, please scan it in and then let me know so that I can close off the relevant activity.  You can print out the supervisor reports if it is easier than getting a reply by email.  Ask me if you don't know how.

Final Reflections

I talked to you last week about doing some a final reflection about CAS as a whole.  Here is an example from last year.

You should try to include all the CAS outcomes and the learner profile attributes in your reflection.  I will come into advisory after the Spring break to help with these.  If you have completed yours, please upload it under CAS documents in your CAS folder.  Some of you uploaded your initial CAS goals at the beginning of grade 11.  Take a look at these and see if what you achieved is that same as what you wrote back then!  How have you changed as a learner?

Good luck with your exams but don't forget to finish off the CAS folder if you want a Diploma.  You don't want me chasing you during exams!

Final interviews and reflections

Exams are over and internal and external assessments are being handed in.  Don't forget that CAS is also a requirement for the Diploma so you need to make sure that you are up-to-date.

In the previous post I went through all the things you need to check.  Go back and look if you can't remember.

I will come to advisory lesson on Friday the 20th and talk about how to make your final reflections.

Final interviews and reflections

I will start final interviews on Wednesday the 25th March.  I will send out the schedule through Managebac.  Make sure you check that the time works for you (if you are in the main building you will have to change times).  This is your responsibility.  I am often around in the mornings and at breaks - you can find me in C10.  Don't hesitate to see me if you are unsure about something.  It's better you ask before the interview so that you have time to fix problems.

Want to continue CAS in the summer?

Remember it's quality not quantity that counts but that there is a requirement for around 50 hours for each of creativity, action and service.  If you don't meet minimum requirements you can make up your CAS in the summer break and get your diploma issued later but I am sure no one wants to be in that position!

Red flags, green flags

Do you have a red flag?

If you do, make sure you read my comments at the bottom of the worksheet.  You should be able to work out what you need to do in order to change that to a green flag.  

It could mean you  are missing hours, or haven't been doing reflections.  Fix the problems as soon as possible or see me if you are not sure what to do.  Don't let an incomplete CAS folder stop you from getting your Diploma!

Do you have a green flag?

That doesn't mean you can sit back an relax!  Check any notes that I have left on your folder - look right down the end.  

I can only judge your folder by what you put in it.  If you have said that you will do 50 hours at the gym, I will think that you are on track.  You will need to have evidence for this and if the evidence is only for 10 hours you will find yourself with an incomplete CAS and no Diploma.  Make sure you follow though on all you plans.  

Have enough hours?  Can you stop now?  NO!

It is a requirement of the IB that your CAS continues right up until May.  At least one activity must remain on-going.  For many people that easiest and the one that makes most sense is often going to the gym or something like that.  Keeping active during exam time is a good idea and helps you to meet the CAS requirements.

If you have a blog - you might not make as many posts as before but keep it going until May.

Covered all the outcomes?

You all have activities planned that cover the 8 outcomes but make sure you show how - that is usually by writing a reflection that relates to each of the outcomes.  Look at the green and yellow bars on your folder.  Green means that you have done a reflection on that outcome.  Yellow means that you have an activity that you planned to cover a certain outcome but have not reflected on it.  Try to make it all green.

Supervisor reports.

Any activity that is complete should have a supervisor report along with evidence of participation.  Make sure you follow the following procedure in order:

1. write reflections and upload evidence ( can be photos, gym membership/attendance, certificates, references)
2. complete the CAS questions
3. click the 'request a supervisor report' button
4. follow up with your supervisor if you don't get a report.

Final reflections and interviews

After the mock exams, I will call each of you in for a final interview.  I will also attend advisory time and you will all do a 'visual' reflection poster summing up your experience in CAS.  

Check your messages

I know that everyone is very busy now but I think it is wise to check the messages that you receive from me at this time as ignoring them can lead to problems with you CAS folder.

Please note that you must have at least ONE activity that is still open and you are participating in - actively.  There are a few activities that seem to have stopped but it is not clear from your entries.  Take 10 minutes to go through and check you are up-to-date.

Some activities that are on-going are:


Rhino group - they are selling friendship bands to give to an organisation that works with protecting rhinos.  They have many beautifully handcrafted armbands that they will be selling along with information about rhino preservation.  Look out for them and contribute to the cause.

Amnesty - as this group is now an official group in the Stockholm region some members will be attending training and some events with other gymnasium students in Stockholm.

Annexe Council - At Christmas annexe council raised 1000kr by selling candy canes.  Last week the money was sent to Stadsmission to help people most in need.  Well done.  Currently the new annexe council is selling Valentine candies to collect money for the Nepal project.

Newspaper - the Quirky Quibbler - now has an official page - look out for details when they have some articles - COMING SOON!

Some students in grade 12 are organising a collection of goods for Stadsmission.  Look out for information and see if you can support this good cause.


Opportunities on http://www.volontarbyran.org/eng/for-volunteers/ - go to the page for contact details:

Project assistant - Swedish Poetry Slam championshipPoetry Slam Sverige

Description of the volunteering opportunity: 
The Swedish Championships in Poetry Slam will be held 12 - 17 May in Stockholm.
We are now looking for committed people who want to help to create one of the biggest poetry events this spring.

Poetry Slam is not only a competition, it's also the annual event where spoken word poets from all over Sweden comes together to discuss the development of the stage.

We are looking for volunteers with experience and / or interest in making a great event for poets. The work can include marketing, project planning to decorating the stage. 
If you have an interest in working with this Project we have a place for you.

When and where will the volunteering take place: 
January - May in Stockholm 

Specific requirements and information: 
If you come aboard this project you will meet new people, learn more about project managing and it could also be a valuable reference in future job applications.

Help coordinate a big culture project! - Uppsala Culture Carnival  (Distance Job)Kulturernas Karneval, KulturAlla

Description of the volunteering opportunity: 
WHAT IS UPPSALA CULTURE CARNIVAL?
Carnival of Cultures (Kulturernas Karneval) is a colorful festival that will take place for the sixth time on 24 to 25 May 2014. The carnival has a carnival parade through the center of Uppsala to a festival place in the Botanical Garden where music, dance, food, market and lots of other things will be going on! 

We want the Carnival of Cultures celebrate all the cultures, cultural expressions and art forms that exist in the vicinityof Sweden. We want to make a scene and a forum for the broad and bustling cultural life. We also want to be an inter-generational , drug-free festival for everyone living in Uppsala and for carnival enthusiasts around Sweden.

Preparations for the Carnival of Cultures 2014 has already begun and now is the time to start building our teams. Each year around 30 people create the event and about 200 volunteers work during event days. The process is open for all to participate.

Are you a committed person with a curiosity for multicultural cultural projects? Then Carnival of Cultures is a perfect platform for you! Whether you have experience with a similar project, whether you have knowledge of volunteer assignments, you can find a mission with us. 

Carnival worker process provides the opportunity for both a social network through regular meetings and telecommuting via digital media. The project will contribute to a group that consists of many different ages, skills and backgrounds.

When and where will the volunteering take place: 
Information meeting and kick-off will be done separately for individual applications,The work continues until mid-June.

Specific requirements and information: 
What can you do?
Here is a list of working groups.
PROJECT COORDINATION
PROGRAM COORDINATION
VOLUNTEER COORDINATION
ART
INFRASTRUCTURE
DESIGN AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
SPONSORSHIP
ECONOMY ADMINISTRATION
IT

Municipality where the volunteering will take place: 
Distansuppdrag

The end is approaching!

Finishing off CAS

Over the next weeks you need to make sure that all your CAS is up-to-date.  Now is the time to get any supervisor reports that you might have forgotten about.  Write up the CAS questions for all completed activities and check that everything is in order.

Have you covered all the 8 outcomes - including writing reflections?

Have you got around about 50 hours for each of Creativity, Action and Service?

Do you have an activity that you will keep going until the end of the DP?

Next month I will come to Advisory lessons to talk about making final CAS reflections.  I will show you some of the posters that the grade 12s created last year.    

If you have any doubts or questions about you CAS come and see me ASAP.

I will start holding final interviews next month, but you can drop in and see me before then if you have some doubts.  Check your CAS folder as I often leave notes with ideas and suggestions.