The Core Curriculum 

In addition to studying a broad set of subjects, students also participate in the Core Curriculum. This where students develop skills for the future and participate in a unique blend of opportunities and experiences. Students are fully supported and guided by their teachers, as they design and develop their own ideas and projects. Full details are shared below for the exciting personal journey that every student can create.

Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) 

CAS is the heartbeat of learning at Hua Hin International School and all students are encouraged and expected to fully embrace a holistic learning approach throughout their studies at HHIS, regularly reflecting and inspiring new ideas to support their learning and to help others. The CAS programme is supported and enriched by a wealth of local specialists, who form an extensive network of knowledge and expertise that students can draw upon and add to. The programme is composed of three strands: creativity, activity and service.

• Creativity is interpreted broadly to include a wide range of arts activities as well as the creativity students demonstrate in designing and implementing larger projects. Throughout their time at HHIS, students are exposed to a huge variety of opportunities to express and develop their creativity, including dramatic arts, musical performances and art exhibitions. To enrich their CAS portfolio, students will pursue creative experiences that might include participation in a band, producing a stage production, developing an art installation, designing the school gardens, painting a mural, or even adding their input to the interior design of the school facilities. The portfolio really is a blank canvas waiting for the individual stamp of HHIS students.

• Activity can include participation in individual and team sports, but also local expeditions and international projects. HHIS students are fortunate to live in a community that boasts easy access to the sea, whilst being in close proximity to the mountains. There is a huge scope for students to pursue water sports, mountaineering or trekking. The extra-curricular programme in the primary and secondary years is extensive, and IB students at HHIS can make full use of this during their CAS course. Students will have easy access to expert sports coaches, including yoga, karate, football, basketball, running, swimming and sailing. The school is also a short distance from some of the best golf courses in Asia, as well as world-class tennis facilities and well-equipped gyms. Throughout their diploma programme at Hua Hin International School, students will have top quality sporting advice and facilities at their fingertips.

• Service encompasses a host of community and social service activities. Some examples include helping children at local schools, fundraising and working with refugees. Hua Hin International School has a proud tradition of student-led service projects that make a real impact in the community. This is a true strength of the whole school community. The school has a strong relationship with many organisations in the local community and these will be integral to the service projects students will undertake during their CAS programme. The service element of CAS will provide students to make a real difference in the local area and offer their own skills to help and develop Hua Hin and beyond. More than this, by participating in service projects students will benefit from a wider range of cultural perspectives that build upon and enhance their academic work in school. They will become truly open-minded, caring and principled members of society.

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

In Theory of Knowledge (TOK), students reflect on the nature of knowledge and how we know what we profess to know. The course has been designed to encourage critical thinking by examining different ways of knowing, such as faith, language and reason, and different areas of knowledge, including mathematics, natural science, history and religious knowledge systems. At HHIS, IB students will play a key role in curriculum design and will determine the direction of the course.

There is a shared passion and energy for TOK amongst staff at HHIS, and all subjects link to and benefit from the subject. The course is taught by a team of specialists, whose expertise in their own subject field contributes to a diverse pool of knowledge. There is a direct synergy between TOK and diploma programme subjects, with regular discussions of knowledge theory incorporated into subject lessons. Furthermore, the TOK ethos is an extension of the HHIS philosophy of developing inquisitive, reflective learners.

TOK is assessed through an exhibition that looks at the student’s ability to apply TOK thinking to real-life objects. Students also write a 1,600 word essay answering a single question chosen from six offerings set by the IB. An example question includes, ‘To what extent are areas of knowledge shaped by their past? Consider with reference to two areas of knowledge.’

The Extended Essay (EE)

The Extended Essay provides a wonderful opportunity for students to define their own independent, self-directed piece of research, where they can design an individual journey to reflect their personal passions. Students create their own learning path that allows them to nurture their inquisitive nature and support the acquisition of big ideas that can be used in the Diploma Programme and in the future.

Students produce an EE with support and guidance from a supervising teacher and the overall guidance from the Extended Essay Coordinator. Students are given materials to help them in proceeding with their research, including the extended essay requirements, necessary forms to be completed during the essay process along with a list of important due dates to help track and support their progress, towards completing the 4,000-word paper. 

Students engage in research through an in-depth study of a question relating to a subject they select. Students are advised to choose a subject for which they have sufficient background knowledge and skills. Subjects that are not part of the student’s Diploma Programme are permitted, but it is advised that the student has a high level of personal interest in that particular subject. Choosing a topic from a particular subject requires careful consideration. Students must review the relevant subject guidelines, which will be provided by the Extended Essay Coordinator. Topics should be limited in scope so that students have the opportunity to research the issue in depth. Collecting data and information should allow students to provide analysis and evaluation of their research. However it is not necessary for this research to make a contribution to existing or new knowledge within the subject. Students communicate their discoveries in a logical manner and present the essay according to  IB guidelines. The extended essay should include an introduction, the body and the conclusion with a limit of 4,000 words. 

There is no doubt that the Extended Essay is a very rewarding experience. All students will be guided so they follow the IB guidelines and meet the supportive deadlines. Once a student has completed the 4,000 word extended essay to the best of their ability, they will able to reflect and feel very proud of their achievements.