From 20 to 25 September 2026, students travelled to Lisbon on their CAS trip. A varied programme gave them opportunities to gain new experiences, overcome personal challenges and grow closer as a group.
But what exactly is a CAS trip? CAS stands for Creativity, Activity, Service and is part of the IB Diploma Programme. A trip like this allows students to try new things outside the classroom, take responsibility and reflect on their experiences.
In Lisbon, this idea came to life: surfing challenged the students physically, while the beach clean-up afterwards gave them a chance to help protect the coastline. Painting Portuguese tiles and baking pastéis de nata offered creative ways to explore the country’s culture. A trip to Sintra added insights into Portugal’s history.
A particularly memorable experience was meeting older women from Lisbon who taught the students embroidery. Personal connections formed across language barriers and generations. Afterwards, Virginie wrote: “I had never realised that simply spending a little time together could brighten someone’s entire day.”
The time spent together as a group was equally valuable. Shared experiences, conversations away from everyday school life and mutual support strengthened friendships. Sharing close quarters was part of the experience too: being considerate, finding compromises and laughing together brought the students closer. As Fay put it: “At the same time, it was lovely to realise that we were there for each other and supported one another.”
Their confidence in their own abilities also grew. Liana reflected: “This trip showed me that I can be independent, even in an unfamiliar country.” A workshop on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals also sparked ideas for promoting gender equality that some of the female students hope to pursue at their school following the trip.
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