This was one of my most meaningful CAS Service experiences as it allowed me to interact directly with students from government schools. On 27th December 2025, I volunteered at a Christmas carnival organised by the Interact Club, which focused on combining festive celebrations with fun, learning-based activities.
My role was to assist at the stall I was assigned to. This included explaining the rules of the game, helping students participate smoothly, ensuring fair play, managing the flow of students, and distributing coloured tokens based on performance. Around 700 students attended the carnival in two time slots, which made the experience fast-paced and required constant focus and coordination.
LO1 – Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
During this experience, I became more aware of my strengths and areas where I could improve. One of my key strengths was communication. I was able to explain the games clearly to students of different age groups and backgrounds, which helped them feel comfortable and confident while participating. I also realised that I am patient and caring, especially when working with younger children who needed encouragement.
However, an area of growth I noticed was managing large groups efficiently. At times, it was challenging to handle many students at once while maintaining pace. This made me realise that I need to improve my organisational and crowd-management skills, especially in busy environments
LO2 – Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills
The carnival presented several challenges, mainly due to the large number of students and limited time. Keeping students engaged, ensuring fairness, and maintaining order at the stall required quick thinking and adaptability. There were moments when students became restless or confused, and I had to handle the situation calmly.
Through this experience, I developed skills such as problem-solving, multitasking, and adaptability. I learned how to manage time better, communicate instructions more effectively, and stay composed in a fast-moving setting.
LO4 – Show perseverance and commitment in CAS experience
The event lasted several hours and required continuous effort and attention. Even when I felt tired, especially during the second time slot, I stayed committed to my role and continued to assist students enthusiastically. Managing back-to-back participation without losing focus required perseverance, which I demonstrated by fulfilling my responsibilities till the end of the carnival.
LO5 – Demonstrate skills and benefits of working collaboratively
Teamwork was an essential part of this experience. Each stall had multiple volunteers, and smooth functioning depended on cooperation and communication. I worked closely with other volunteers to manage student flow, clarify rules, and resolve issues quickly. This experience showed me how collaboration makes tasks more efficient and ensures that everyone feels supported.
LO6 – Engagement with issues of global significance
This experience connected to broader global issues such as access to quality education and social inclusion. Many government school students do not often get opportunities to participate in such interactive learning environments. Being part of an initiative that focused on creating a positive and encouraging space for them made me more aware of educational inequality and the importance of community-driven solutions.
LO7 – Recognise and consider the ethics of choices and actions
Ethical behaviour was important throughout the carnival. I had to ensure that all students were treated equally and that tokens were distributed honestly based on performance. Being fair and principled was essential to maintain trust and ensure that every child had a positive experience.
Conclusion
This CAS Service experience was more than just volunteering at a carnival. It taught me the value of empathy, responsibility, teamwork, and perseverance. I became more aware of my strengths in communication and my areas for growth, such as managing large groups. Most importantly, the experience showed me how small efforts can make a meaningful impact when done with sincerity and commitment.
