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18th of September - Activity; LO1, LO2, LO3

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On the 18th of September , I went hiking on Pelister with my family and their friends. Beforehand, I set a clear goal for myself, which was to reach 10,000 steps and push my limits, especially when it comes to endurance. I wanted to challenge myself physically and prove that I can stay motivated even when the hike becomes difficult.

During the hike, I focused on keeping a steady pace and not giving up when I started feeling tired. The uphill parts were the hardest, and I had moments where I wanted to slow down a lot, but I reminded myself of my goal and kept going. Reaching 10,000 steps felt like a real achievement because it showed me that I can handle longer distances and improve my stamina.

After the hike, I felt proud and more confident in my physical abilities. This experience supported my CAS Activity strand because it helped me build endurance, push past my limits, and stay committed to a goal.

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September 24th - Service; LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5, LO6, LO7.

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On the 24th of September, Eva, my friend, and I participated in a project regarding the ecological condition of the waters in North Macedonia. During our time there, we got introduced to the current problems that the waters are undergoing, and how to contribute to their improvement. First, we attended a presentation on acquiring skills on how to evaluate the current condition of the waters, and then continued to visit a highly polluted river, where we, as a group, evaluated the river. Through this, I got introduced to new skills and knowledge on how to help the environment become a better, cleaner place. I also got the opportunity to meet many new people, which led me to create new friendships, as well as strengthen older friendships. Ultimately, this experience educated me on the global problems going on not only in North Macedonia, but also in many other countries, and the impact they have on the flora and fauna.

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September 29th - Activity; LO2, LO5, LO6

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On the 29th of September , I attended a first aid course. During this course, I was introduced to the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to provide help in emergency situations. First, we attended a presentation where we learned about the importance of first aid, the basic steps to follow when someone is injured, and how to remain calm under pressure. Afterward, we participated in several practical activities, where we practiced CPR, how to treat wounds and burns, and how to react in situations such as choking or fainting. Through this experience, I gained valuable knowledge on how to act responsibly and effectively during emergencies, which could one day help save someone’s life. Additionally, I had the opportunity to work closely with others, which allowed me to develop teamwork and communication skills. Ultimately, this course not only taught me essential life-saving techniques but also raised my awareness of the importance of being prepared and helping others in need.

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On the 17th of October, I volunteered at Pasta Day, an event where we cooked and served traditional Italian pasta dishes. During the event, I helped prepare the dough, shape different types of pasta, and assisted in cooking and serving the meals. We worked as a team to make sure everything was ready on time.

This experience helped me improve my teamwork and communication skills, as we had to coordinate and divide tasks efficiently. I also learned more about Italian food traditions and how much effort goes into making pasta by hand. Even though it was sometimes busy and challenging, it was rewarding to see how our teamwork created a fun and friendly atmosphere. Overall, Pasta Day taught me the importance of cooperation and organization when working in a group, while also giving me a chance to contribute to a cultural community event in an enjoyable way.

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On the 18th of October, I attended a Study Abroad event that provided me with the opportunity to explore various universities and educational programs abroad. During the event, I interacted with representatives from different institutions. I was also able to ask questions about studying in different countries and gain insight into the cultural and social aspects of living abroad. This experience helped me broaden my perspective on global education and encouraged me to think more deeply about my future academic goals. I realized the importance of researching universities early and understanding how different education systems work. It also motivated me to improve my academic performance and extracurricular involvement to strengthen my future university applications. Moreover, I developed communication skills by engaging in meaningful conversations with university representatives and peers who shared similar interests.

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On the 28th of October, my classmates and I attended an exhibition by the famous Macedonian artist Mihail Korubin. While we were there, we learned in depth about the modern techniques he uses to create contemporary artwork.

As a Visual Arts student, I had been struggling with the creative process when working on more modern pieces. This visit helped me a lot because I had the chance to talk to the artist himself and better understand how he communicates ideas through symbols and other artistic features.

After the exhibition, I felt more confident and motivated to experiment with modern techniques in my own work. This experience supported my CAS Creativity strand because it developed my artistic thinking and directly influenced the way I approach creating art.

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On the 11th of November, my classmates and I attended a workshop about how young people can contribute to global processes in a meaningful way. Beforehand, we read the official announcement from the United Nations Office in North Macedonia, which explained that the event was organized to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and was fully dedicated to youth participation (UN x Youth).

During the workshop, we learned more about the role of the UN, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the different ways young people can actively get involved in global issues. Through creative tasks, teamwork, and group discussions, we explored how youth voices can create real impact and how innovative thinking can support positive change.

After the workshop, I felt more informed and motivated to be more active in my community and at school. This experience supported my CAS Service strand because it encouraged me to think about concrete ways I can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and take responsibility as a young person in society

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On the 18th of November, my classmates and I visited the Museum of Contemporary Art. Beforehand, I wanted to improve my understanding of contemporary art because I sometimes struggle to interpret modern pieces and use similar ideas in my own work.

During the visit, we explored different artworks and focused on how contemporary artists communicate meaning through symbolism, materials, and composition. One artist that stood out to me was Nedko Soladov, because his work made me think more deeply about how modern art can carry a message even when it is not presented in a traditional way. His artworks were mainly depicted on walls, where he used other objects like balloons, picture frames, and textual elements to convey his message .I took notes on the techniques and ideas, and I discussed different interpretations with my classmates, which helped me see the artworks from multiple perspectives.

After the visit, I felt more confident and inspired to experiment with contemporary approaches in my own Visual Arts work. This experience, as well as the Mihail Korubin exhibition, supported my CAS Creativity strand because it developed my artistic thinking and influenced how I approach modern art and creative ideas.

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On the 20th of November, my friends and I attended a workshop focused on Creative Writing. Beforehand, I had been struggling with this area, mainly with how to write a captivating opening that immediately grabs the reader’s attention, as well as how to structure my personal essay in a clear and engaging way.

During the workshop, Justin Van Dyke, a Senior Outreach Officer, took the lead and explained practical techniques that can help us develop our creative writing skills. He showed us how to build stronger introductions, organize ideas more effectively, and make our writing more personal and interesting through specific choices in language and structure.

After the workshop, I felt more confident because I understood what makes an opening compelling and how to plan my essay more clearly. This experience supported my CAS Creativity strand, since it helped me improve an important creative skill and gave me strategies I can apply in my future writing.

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1st of December; Creativity, LO1, LO2, LO3

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Recipe I used -https://www.fifteenspatulas.com/homemade-sushi/

On the 1st of December , I made sushi at home as a way to try something new and build a practical skill. I was excited, but I also ran into a few problems.The biggest challenge was regarding the rice,as it came out too sticky and was hard to spread evenly and roll neatly. I also found cutting the salmon difficult because I wanted the pieces to be clean and the same size.

Even though it was nowhere near perfect, I learned a lot from the process. By the end, I felt proud of the result and more confident to try it again, especially now that I know what to improve next time. This experience supported my CAS Creativity strand because I learned a new skill, experimented with technique and presentation, and reflected on what I need to improve next time, such as getting the rice texture right from the beginning and making cleaner, more even cuts.

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On the 28th of December, I performed in a violin recital. Beforehand, I felt nervous because I have always had a fear of playing in front of an audience and I was worried I would make mistakes. My main goal was to stay calm, focus on the music, and not let my nerves control the performance.

During the recital, I tried to overcome my fear by concentrating on my breathing and keeping my attention on the rhythm and the sound, instead of the people watching. Even when I felt anxious, I reminded myself that I had practiced and that I was prepared.

After the recital, I felt proud because I faced something that was difficult for me and managed to perform. This experience supported my CAS Creativity strand because it helped me build confidence, improve my performance skills, and push myself outside my comfort zone.

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On the 27th of January, I attended an art exhibition where the central topic was the Glagolitic script (Glagolica). During the visit, I learned more about the origins and meaning of this ancient writing system and how artists use its letters and symbols as inspiration in contemporary artwork. Seeing Glagolica presented in different artistic forms helped me understand that it is not only a historical script, but also a strong cultural symbol that can be transformed into modern visual expression.

As a Visual Arts student, I am always looking for new sources of inspiration and new ways to develop ideas. This exhibition helped me because it showed how something traditional and historically important can be reinterpreted creatively through design, composition, and symbolism. It also made me reflect on how art can preserve cultural heritage while still feeling modern and personal.

After the exhibition, I felt more motivated to experiment with typography, symbols, and cultural references in my own work. This experience supported my CAS Creativity strand because it expanded my artistic perspective, increased my cultural awareness, and encouraged me to apply new ideas and influences in the way I approach creating art.

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8th of February; Creativity, LO1, LO2, LO3

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On the 8th of February, I baked cookies and photographed the process and final results. Baking challenged me to be accurate with measurements, timing, and oven temperature, while still thinking about presentation.

One challenge was getting the cookies to bake evenly and come out with the texture I wanted. I also worked on making the dough portions the same size so the cookies looked consistent. Overall, I was happy with the outcome and felt more confident with baking skills.

This activity supported my Creativity strand because I followed a structured process, improved my technique, and reflected on how I could develop it further next time (for example, experimenting with flavours or decorating more creatively).

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20th of February; Service, LO1, LO2, LO5, LO6

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On the 20th of February, my classmates and I took part in a school event focused on different cultures and their traditional foods. The goal was to learn more about other countries in a fun and interactive way. My team and I decided to represent South Korea because we found its culture really interesting, especially its food. We chose to make Gimbap (Kimbap), a well-known Korean dish that is both simple and meaningful. While preparing it, we didn’t just focus on the recipe, but also tried to understand its cultural background and why it is so popular in South Korea. This experience gave us the chance to explore something new and share it with others.

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On the day of my aquarium visit, I focused on learning about different species of fish and their natural habitats, while also thinking about how this knowledge could be shared to raise awareness about ocean conservation. The experience helped me understand how diverse marine life is, from tropical fish living in warm coral reefs to species adapted to colder, deeper parts of the ocean.

One challenge was remembering and distinguishing between the different species and understanding where exactly they are found globally. I paid close attention to the information provided in the aquarium and reflected on how human activity affects these environments. I also realized how important it is to protect these ecosystems, as many of the species I observed are vulnerable or endangered.

Overall, this activity increased my awareness of marine biodiversity and strengthened my sense of responsibility toward protecting the oceans. It supported my Service strand because I gained knowledge that I can share with others to promote environmental awareness. In the future, I would like to further develop this by creating a small awareness project or presentation about marine life and the importance of preserving ocean ecosystems.

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On the day of my visit to Sagrada Familia, I focused on understanding its cultural, historical, and spiritual significance, while also thinking about how this knowledge could be shared to promote appreciation of heritage and architecture. By observing the details of the basilica, I learned about the symbolism behind its design and how architecture can reflect deeper values, beliefs, and identity.

One challenge was fully understanding the complexity of the structure and the meaning behind different elements, as there were many details and artistic features to interpret. I paid close attention to the explanations and reflected on how important it is to preserve such landmarks, as they represent not only artistic achievement but also cultural history.

Overall, this experience increased my appreciation for cultural heritage and the importance of protecting historical sites. It supported my Service strand because I gained knowledge that I can share with others to encourage respect for cultural monuments and global heritage.

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For this CAS experience, Eva and I worked together to create a poem. The activity was both creative and collaborative, as we had to share ideas, discuss themes, and decide how we wanted the poem to sound and feel. We began by brainstorming possible topics and emotions we wanted to express. After that, we experimented with different words, phrases, and images until we found lines that fit well together.

This experience helped us develop our creativity because writing poetry required imagination, careful word choice, and original thinking. It also strengthened our collaboration skills, since Eva and I had to listen to each other’s opinions, combine our ideas, and make joint decisions. At times, we had different suggestions for certain lines, but by communicating and compromising, we were able to produce a poem that represented both of our voices.

One challenge was making the poem flow naturally while still expressing the meaning we wanted. We solved this by rereading the poem several times and revising parts that sounded unclear or awkward. Through this process, I learned that creativity often involves patience and revision, not just inspiration.

Overall, this CAS experience was enjoyable and meaningful because it allowed me to express ideas in an artistic way while working closely with another person. It showed me the importance of teamwork in creative tasks and helped me appreciate poetry as a form of personal expression.

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As part of my CAS experience, I attended a lecture delivered by a guest speaker from Romania, Nicu Sprincean, who spoke about ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles. The lecture focused on how companies integrate sustainability, ethical practices, and responsible governance into their operations.

During the session, I learned about the importance of ESG in modern business, especially how environmental responsibility, social impact, and transparency influence long-term success. The speaker provided real-life examples of companies adapting to ESG standards and explained how these practices are becoming increasingly important for investors, regulators, and society.

This experience contributed to my learning by expanding my understanding of global challenges such as climate change, corporate responsibility, and ethical decision-making. It also helped me develop critical thinking, as I reflected on how businesses balance profitability with sustainability.

One key takeaway was that ESG is not only a trend but a necessity for future development. It encouraged me to think more consciously about the impact of business decisions on society and the environment.

Overall, attending this lecture was a valuable CAS experience because it connected academic knowledge with real-world applications and exposed me to international perspectives on sustainability and governance.

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For this CAS experience, I made a paper figure inspired by Kanye West. I used a printed template, then cut, folded, and glued the pieces together to create a 3D model.

While working on it, I had to be careful and patient so all the parts fit correctly. I focused on small details, like making sure the face matched the body and the figure could stand properly on its base.

This activity helped me improve my creativity and my ability to follow steps carefully. It also helped me develop patience, because if I made a mistake, I had to fix it or redo a part.

One challenge was putting together the smaller parts, like the arms and head, without damaging the paper. I solved this by working slowly and checking each step before moving on.

Overall, I enjoyed this activity because it was fun and creative. It showed me that even simple materials like paper can be used to make something interesting and unique.

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For this CAS experience, I visited NOESIS Science Center and Technology Museum. I was especially interested in the part of the museum related to cars, because I really enjoy learning about vehicles and how they work.

During the visit, I explored exhibits about the development of cars, how engines function, and how technology has improved safety and performance over time. I found it very interesting to see how cars have changed from older models to modern vehicles, especially in terms of design and innovation.

This experience was meaningful for me because it connected my personal interest in cars with learning. It helped me better understand how cars are built and how different systems work together. It also made me think about the future of cars, such as electric vehicles and new technologies.

One challenge was understanding some of the technical explanations, but I tried to focus on the main ideas and observe how the models worked.

Overall, I really enjoyed this visit because it combined something I love with education. It motivated me to continue learning more about cars and engineering in the future.