Y13 Higher Education / Group 4 Project Days during CAS Week

Dear Year 13 Students and Parents,

Y13 Higher Education / Group 4 Project Days during CAS WeekWe 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 begin the application process.

The Group 4 (Scientific and Technological Research) 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.  Students 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.

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 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) and half-term break (for most university applications) which allows them the benefit of not having to rush through their applications later in the term.  This also affords them time to redraft, after further research and discussions.

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 personal statements and answering essay questions.  Please note that students are very much expected to take responsibility for their application folders and to be proactive in both finalising their research and starting the application process.

Finally, 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 Tuesday 13th October from 6.45 to 7.30 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 to for anyone to ask questions which may be common to several families.  If you plan to attend, please confirm this by email to pbc@shatincollege.edu.hk so that an appropriate venue can be prepared.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or comments regarding the arrangements for CAS Week or any other related matter.
Kind regards,

Patrick Campbell (pbc@shatincollege.edu.hk)        Kris French (kaf@shatincollege.edu.hk)
David Stott (dzs@shatincollege.edu.hk)                    Group 4 Project Coordinator
Careers and Higher Education