The 8 learning outcomes
The IB developed a list of 8 critical outcomes to act as a criteria of sort for the CAS program. Any aspect of CAS that you interact with has to connect to one of these learning outcomes. By doing this the IB allows you to reflect on why you do what you do in the CAS program, rather than just doing CAS to accumulate hours and be done of it. Below are the 8 critical learning outcomes:
• Increased their awareness of their own strengths and areas for growth: They are able to see themselves as individuals with various skills and abilities, some more developed than others, and understand they can make choices about how they wish to move forward.
• Undertaken new challenges: A new challenge may be an unfamiliar activity, or an extension to an existing one.
• Planned and initiated activities: Planning and initiation will often be in collaboration with others. It can be shown in activities that are part of larger projects, for example, ongoing school activities in the local community, as well as in small student-led activities.
• Worked collaboratively with others: Collaboration can be shown in many different activities, such as team sports, playing music in a band, or helping in a kindergarten. At least one project involving collaboration and the integration of at least two of creativity, action and service, is required.
• Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities: At a minimum, this implies attending regularly and accepting a share of the responsibility for dealing with problems that arise in the course of activities.
• Engaged with issues of global importance: Students may be involved in international projects but there are many global issues that can be acted upon locally or nationally (for example, environmental concerns, caring for the elderly).
• Considered the ethical implications of their actions: Ethical decisions arise in almost any CAS activity (for example, on the sports field, in musical composition, in relationships with others involved in service activities). Evidence of thinking about ethical issues can be shown in various ways, including journal entries and conversations with CAS advisers.
• Develop new skills: As with new challenges, new skills may be shown in activities that the student has not previously undertaken, or in increased expertise in an established area.

Aims and objectives 2010

The CAS programme at osc helps students gain experience outside their classroom, whether working with the community or working on improving their own personal skills. This could involve doing something they are already good at or challenging themselves by learning new skills. This blog will help me keep track with all my CAS endeavours throughout my IBDP.I have set myself some personal goals that i would like to achieve during this year which are:
1. Undertake new challenges:
We recently went for our IB orientation to the institute of management and technology near Kandy. There we did activities such as climbing up a 100ft tower on a swinging ladder and then abseiling from the tower. Now this may not be hard for many people, but I had a huge fear of heights. I say ‘had’ because these activities certainly helped curb my fear of heights, to such an extent that I wanted to go right back up and do it all over again. I realized that just going for something you are not totally comfortable with helps a lot to get you over the fear involved in it. Next on my agenda is the 20m spring board at a swimhall.
2. Develop new skills:
This year as mentioned above, I am looking forward to taking part in many extra-curricular activities. I have had a guitar for 4 years without knowing how to play it and this year I have finally decided to learn and hence signed up for guitar classes on Monday’s. I will also look to participate in sports such as table-tennis, basketball and track& field that are not activities that I usually do or am good at.i would also like to learn surfing while I am in Srilanka.
3. Work and learn about the community:
The service part of CAS is very important since it helps us gain more information about the country we live in, Sri Lanka. I would also like to give something back to the community even if it is just 1hr a week of service. I would like to learn more about srilanka and am looking forward to travel to parts of Sri Lanka this year.
4. Help my football team get a respectable position at saisa this year:
Last year I was not able to travel with the SAISA team because my visa didn’t get approved in time. I was pretty frustrated when I heard that our team lost 7:0 to LS and subsequently finished 7th. I don’t know if my presence would have made any difference but this year I would really like to help my team achieve a higher position. I am regualrly going to the gym and swimming to improve my fitness for the SAISA footbal season so that I, together with my teammates can win something this year, which brings me to my next point:
5. Working collaboratively with others:
Like in football collaborating with others in life is essential to success. I am looking forward to spending a great 2 years with my friends and also to get-to know more new people.
6. Be creative:
Since I am not taking drama or art this year, this will be one of the hardest aspects for me to accomplish. I will try to get roles in any upcoming school plays. Apart from that I have decided to write and post satirical articals about things related to football such as players, matches and teams.
7. Have fun:
THE most important aim is to have fun during my time at OSC. I aim to balance my studies, schoolwork and other activities with doing things I enjoy such as hanging out with friends, so that I may have an enjoyable 2 years at OSC.