All students in the Senior School are challenged to get involved in the wider community. The “CAS” program is a requirement of the IB diploma program and is completed by students in grades 11 and 12. The emphasis is on learning by doing tasks that have real consequences and then reflecting on these experiences over time.

In their final two years of high school, each HGS student completes a minimum of 150 hours of unpaid and extra-curricular work in the three areas of the CAS program: creativity, action and service. The student experience at HGS, regardless of grade level, informally involves all three elements of the program.

Chelsea is a Senior 2 student beginning the CAS program this year at Grammar. She already achieved many of her action hours this summer though flat water kayaking. For the past seven years she has been involved in this sport which includes year round training and competing at regattas in the summer. Chelsea kayaks approximately six or seven times a week at Maskwa Aquatic Club, and plans to continue with this activity until she graduates from high school.

For her service hours, Chelsea volunteers for Kids Help Phone through the student ambassador program. She has been involved with this organization for two years now, and plans to start a chapter here at Grammar. Chelsea began volunteering with student ambassadors in Grade nine, and then joined the Student Ambassador Council, which allowed her to help on a higher level. For her creativity hours, Chelsea plans to join a new group at Grammar - the Halifax Grammar Shakespeare Company.