Y13 Higher Education / Group 4 Project Days in CAS Week
Dear Year 13 Students and Parents/Guardians,
We are writing to inform you of the aims and format for your child’s Y13 CAS Week. All students will be completing their Group 4 Project for two days (Mon/Tues or Wed/Thurs) and the alternative days (Wed/Thurs or Mon/Tues) will be dedicated to finalising Higher Education research and decision-making, and to make progress with the application process.
The Group 4 Project is a core requirement of the IB Diploma Programme where students rely on the skills they have learned in their Group 4 subject(s) in the face of a ‘real-life’ problem and demonstrate that they are able to apply skills in finding solutions. All students who are pursuing the IB Diploma will work in groups to solve theme-based problems, which will culminate in a presentation on Friday when their group’s solution and the research/reasoning behind it will be shared and evaluated.
Students who are not following the IB Diploma will have extra time and support for their careers and higher education research and applications.
Regarding their Higher Education processes, it is expected that most university applications will be completed and sent before the Christmas break, as reflected in the school’s internal paperwork deadlines published in the online school diary/calendar. However, for most students, we hope that much of the application process can be completed during CAS Week (at least for the first choice university).
During CAS Week, students will have access to resource materials, guest speakers from universities and dedicated time from several teachers who will be available to help them with drafting applications, writing university personal statements and answering application essay questions. Please note that students are very much expected to take responsibility for their applications and to be proactive in both finalising their research and moving forward with the application process.
We are also committed to working with you to support your child through this process and with this cooperation in mind we would like to invite you to an informal Question/Answer session to be held on the evening of Thursday 4th October from 6.00 to 7.00 p.m. We would like to emphasise that this is simply a chance for you to hear a short presentation about what students have been asked to accomplish in line with our support programme and for anyone to ask questions which may be common to several families. If you plan to attend, please confirm this by email to dzs@shatincollege.edu.hk so that an appropriate venue can be prepared.
Finally, for all students who may feel that they progressed significantly with their careers and higher education processes, we expect them to be in school, as normal, making the most of the resources and support available to work on their Extended Essay, Internal Assessments or other school work. Please note that a hard copy of the final submission of the EE is due on 30th October at 8:30 a.m.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or comments regarding the arrangements for Y13 CAS Week or any other related matter.
Kind regards,
David Stott (Careers/HE) Kris French (Group 4 Project) Debbie Hanley (Head of Year 13)
(dzs@shatincollege.edu.hk) (kaf@shatincollege.edu.hk) (hanleyd2@stconline.edu.hk)
