Community Service

TASIS England attaches high value to service to others. Showing concern for those less fortunate, preserving and protecting our environment, and giving back to the community and those in need are all actions that help us to grow as individuals and to appreciate the blessings bestowed on us. Each TASIS England student is required to complete at least one Service Project each academic year. Time spent in community service is expected to be a minimum total of 10 hours per year in Grades 9 and 10 and 20 hours per year in Grades 11 and 12. Students may wish to pursue their service projects during the summer months for the following school year or during any of the other school breaks. Such projects must be for not-for-profit charity organizations, and students may not receive payment for their work. This option may be especially suitable for students who have a particularly heavy schedule of co-curricular and sports activities.

Several opportunities to serve others exist in the communities around Thorpe. Volunteer work in hospitals and hospices, agencies for the disabled, conservation and ecology organizations, service agencies, and charity shops can be facilitated through the Community Service Office, but students are strongly encouraged to seek out and schedule volunteer time independently from the School. The declared goal of the TASIS England service program is for students to participate in a project containing a social justice, conservation, or education element, recognizing the value of service beyond self. The local Volunteer Bureau can help with placement and assist young people in finding meaningful service opportunities. Two searchable databases are www.do-it.org.uk and www.timebank.org.uk.

A limited number of campus-based projects are also available. At the culmination of their service activity, students will write an essay reflecting on their contribution and its value. Projects undertaken during school breaks must be properly documented upon return to school to receive credit.

As part of the IB Diploma, IB students are required to complete a balanced CAS (CREATIVITY-ACTIVITY-SERVICE) program over the two years of their diploma course. Each student must reach the seven prescribed learning outcomes and address each of these areas. The CAS service project must be of substantial duration. All CAS credit activities must be documented, evaluated, and reflected upon. All CAS documentation is recorded on the MB platform, filed with the CAS coordinator, and retained until the end of the Diploma Course when selected records will be sent to the IBO. Work to be counted towards CAS may be done during school breaks, but cannot commence until the first day of classes of the Diploma Course.