Monday 16 February 2015

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.  


Monday 9 February 2015

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