CAS Week 2024 (Part Two)

This year CAS Week saw our Years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 students taking part in many Creative, Active and Service activities both overseas and here in Hong Kong.

For Years 7, 8, 9 and 10, CAS Week is modelled on the core element of the IB Diploma and aligns with our strategy, IMYC (International Middle Years Curriculum) and IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education). We incorporate it into our curriculum to develop our spirited and confident students beyond the classroom.

• CAS Week not only prepares our students for the challenge of IB, but it also allows our students:
• A period of time off-timetable to explore creative, active and service experiences
• To try something new or further their interests
• To rise to challenges
• To apply their knowledge in the real world
• To build relationships with their peers and teachers outside of the classroom
• To encourage resilience by stepping out of the comfort zone
• To use journaling as a means to reflect on their learning

It is without question that each of these aims were met by those attending the week. Over the next couple of weeks, we will feature write ups and reports from each trip.

We hope you enjoy and we look forward to an even better CAS Week next year.

Hong Kong #1

We managed to sleep in our beds, eat dinner at home and avoid early starts at the airport, but instead had to contend with a week of horrendous weather in Hong Kong.

Day 1: Extreme mountain biking!

After a dark and dreary start in Central we braved the ferry to Mui Wo to start our CAS week activities. For many of us, this was our first time biking in Mui Wo and was a fun way to explore the back streets of the villages and the Silvermine Waterfall. After sheltering in McDonalds for a hot cocoa and lunch, the skies cleared and we headed onto the biking trails in the hills. Steve and his team of experts helped the pupils to master their skills in a very short period of time and the pupils really enjoyed the challenge of navigating the muddy trails. By the end of the day we were all well and truly soaked, but equally very proud of our accomplishments.

Day 2: Expressive Art Therapy.

Coach Lily guided us through an Expressive Arts workshop centered on having fun and expressing ourselves in novel ways. The general comments in the morning centred around not liking ‘art’ but that very quickly changed! Lena, who was apprehensive at the start, said ‘One of the most memorable activities was a body scan. I drew myself and analysed my emotions, learning about myself more and more.’ A calm day was appreciated by all of us after the exhausting day before.

Day 3: Visiting the Elderly.

The Service component of our week allowed the pupils to develop their team working skills and compassion, and for many, was a highlight of the week. After haggling and number crunching at the supermarket buying gifts, the pupils had the privilege to be invited into the homes of some elderly people living in the Tai Koo area. They were fortunate to meet some very interesting people and really enjoyed hearing their life stories. We can only hope that the pupils have taken on board some of the sage advice that the elderly imparted! 

Day 4: A day of staying active indoors.

Our final day of CAS week was perhaps the best (for the pupils)! Although Mr. Haynes and myself were desperate for a hike, Amber rain and the risk of hail meant that we had to go bowling and bounce at Ryze instead. There was some friendly competition in the bowling alley and some ruthless knocking each other off pedestals at Ryze, but all in good fun! The pupils were extremely encouraging of each other throughout the day and had a great time staying active indoors. 

At all stages during the week we were impressed with the pupils’ adaptability and willingness to get involved. They learned new skills and pushed themselves to work outside of their comfort zones. A thoroughly enjoyable week indeed.

Hong Kong #2

The students involved in the Hong Kong 2 CAS week, enjoyed varied and exciting times. 

The week began with the Soap Cycling charity, where the students shared their energy and creativity to the cause of recycling soap for communities in Hong Kong and Philippines. One student described, “I also learned that hygiene in other countries is not as accessible as it is in Hong Kong.This activity helped me understand that a lot of people in different places may not have the same access to hygienic tools, and foundations like soap cycling will help them alot.”

We were back on site at Blue Pool Road learning about CAD CAM, designing and producing 3D computer models of small products to output from the 3D printers. It was a good opportunity to gain insight into the technology and have fun with some individual ideas in creative designs.

Three days were dedicated to mountain biking in Mui Wo. The students were taught important mountain biking skills, and they progressed onto riding some challenging courses. The rain gave a little refreshment, but stayed away enough for us to thoroughly enjoy the different, purpose-built mountain bike courses around Mui Wo. It was exciting riding the different obstacles, whilst amongst beautiful scenery. After 3 days of peddling, we’d really earned the weekend rest and time to appreciate the good memories.

Day 1 – Soap Cycling

Day 2 – Creativity and technology at BPR

Days 3-5 – Mountain biking in Mui Wo