Creativity, Activity, Service
Creativity, Activity & Service (CAS) is an integral part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Through the courses we offer, students will have the opportunity to engage in CAS projects and fulfil some of their requirements, channeling creativity, a sense of adventure, and a genuine desire to help others. All accompanied by the chance to learn from the incredible people and landscape of Ladakh.
See below for just a few of the incredible experiences that we can offer that will go some way in fulfilling the student CAS requirements. Note that these can be combined with each other or with other elements as part of an immersive learning experience.
The Last Potter in Ladakh
During the 17th century, Likir was the hub of pottery in Ladakh. Now, it is home to the last potter of Ladakh. As the centuries passed, opportunities for work changed and this once thriving custom is now solely in the hands of our friend Lamchung Tsepail and his son Rigzen Namgail who work tirelessly to keep this rich and important tradition alive.
Through a series of hands-on workshops participants will learn about the history of pottery in Ladakh, how to make local clay, use a potter’s wheel and work with traditional tools to create their own art works.
CAS components: Creativity
Weaving a Story: Indigenous Perspectives and Slow Fashion
Changthang, offers students a window into the nomadic way of life. Participants will interact with a nomadic community to learn more about their work and their unique perspective on indigenous knowledge.
Students will learn the many steps that go into producing a textile. From the rearing of pashmina goats in the nomadic community, to the process of turning their wool into yarn and weaving that into a textile, participants will get the full picture. We will examine questions like: How does the “fast fashion” industry work? What are slow textiles? Why is this important?
CAS components: Creativity, Activity
Trekking & Leadership
Go on a week-long trek in the Sham Valley, to both have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience this remote corner of the world, and to test yourself and deepen your self-understanding. The journey is both outwards and inwards.
Learn about the physical features of the landscape, the unique natural environment, how people have adapted to and thrived in harsh physical conditions and how climate change is upsetting the fragile ecological balance and affecting the sustainability of the entire region.
CAS components: Activity
Where’d it go? Waste & Sustainability in Fragile Ecosystems
When we eat our favourite chocolate and drop the wrapper in the dustbin, where exactly does it go? This question becomes even more important in fragile ecosystems like Ladakh’s.
In this course students will explore the impact of climate change, “fast” tourism and unconsidered development on Ladakh. Through learning about the work of local organisations and their efforts to raise awareness about a variety of environmental issues, day trips to popular tourist spots as well as villages participants will learn more about Ladakh’s unique culture and how the popular “reduce, reuse and recycle” is an inherent part of Ladakhi culture.
To aid their learning, students will go on clean-up drives and participate in other hands-on activities and experiences to better understand these complex issues.
CAS Components: Service