From the Head of School

The IB Core (Part 2): Creativity, Activity, Service

Over the last few weeks, I have introduced our mission and identity statements, our philosophies about learning and citizenship and our values.  Last week I moved to what ISA students actually do, with a description of the Theory of Knowledge (ToK) course in IB Diploma.

ToK is one of three parts of the IB ‘core’ that students should be working towards long before they formally start the diploma.  The next part of the IB core is Creativity Action Service (CAS).  By the age of 16 many national systems (certainly Scotland and England) narrow students’ studies down to a few of their best subjects (or least worst, or their friend’s favourite subjects, or the ones taught by their favourite teacher).  On a subject level, the IB Diploma still requires a wide scope, but through CAS it also ensures that students keep in touch with their creative side and remain active through exercise.  They are not graded but have to keep a reflective journal and won’t receive a diploma if they have not completed their requirements.

Service is the most distinctive feature of CAS and of the core generally.  It is a reminder that learning is not just a joy in itself, not just an aid to a better life, but an IB education is a privilege and those who receive it have a greater opportunity to give back to their communities.  This isn’t about moralising on worthy causes, but making a practical difference to the life in front of you.

Next week, we hold our global citizenship week.  In Elementary, students ‘feel better to do better’, taking care of themselves and being kind to others.  Grades 6 to 11 are out on residential trips developing the aptitudes for citizenship - the ability to face challenges, collaborating with people from different backgrounds.

In their final two years at ISA, students will discover that service isn’t about simply feeling strongly about an issue or donating to a cause, it is about taking the initiative and working with others to make things happen.  An IB education doesn’t leave those qualities to chance.