At Ritsumeikan Uji Junior and Senior High School, the annual final CAS presentations by IB Course seniors were held. CAS stands for Creativity, Activity, and Service and is one of the three core components of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, alongside the Extended Essay (EE) and Theory of Knowledge (TOK). While EE and TOK emphasize academic research and critical thinking, CAS plays a vital role in promoting experiential learning, encouraging students to plan, act, and reflect. Through CAS, students cultivate self-awareness, ethical values, and international-mindedness, directly contributing to the development of the IB Learner Profile.

This year, 34 senior students presented their projects to their peers, juniors, teachers, and parents. Their wide-ranging activities included volunteering at animal shelters and children’s cafeterias (kodomo shokudo), tutoring and mentoring younger students, designing and launching rockets in competitions, participating in Model United Nations, and engaging in ocean and environmental conservation efforts. Each presentation demonstrated how academic learning can be connected with real-world challenges, and how IB students actively contribute to society while deepening their personal growth.

As the seniors prepare for their upcoming IB Diploma examinations, we celebrate their achievements and dedication. At the same time, we look forward to seeing our juniors take inspiration from their words and actions, and embark on their own CAS journeys with confidence and creativity.