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.