LO7- Recognise and consider the ethical implications of choices and actions. Ethics are the moral principles that govern or influence our conduct. Ethics are the basis for what we determine to be the ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ course of action. Students show awareness of the consequences of choices and actions in planning and carrying out CAS experiences.

Having the opportunity to conduct music therapy with Apex harmony residents with AD became less daunting as I became more familiar with it. However, I learned to consider many nuances before each session in order to have successful sessions. Something I had not considered was being deliberate and sensitive about any questions that we may ask. Adjusting to the personality of the resident, and learning to be a bit more cautious before asking about loved ones and family members was something that I had never considered. This experience definitely heightened my awareness of the cultural and societal context and brought a new sensitivity and empathy in my communication with the seniors. This will prove to be an invaluable skill; seeking to pause and reflect on what may be the resident’s background, and consequently, what matters should be dealt with carefully, or avoided altogether.

Show commitment and perseverance in CAS experiences. Students can articulate the stages from conceiving an idea to executing a plan for a CAS experience or series of CAS experiences. Students may show their knowledge and awareness by building on a previous experience, or by launching a new idea or process.

This activity has definitely been quite challenging for me because nothing about this service has been running conventionally. We have to persevere when communicating with the residents online because not only are language barriers present, but the residents are unfamiliar with digital platforms, there are technical difficulties and it obstructs us from forming a more personal bond with them. It’s been immensely challenging to work within the COVID restrictions and create a meaningful experience at the same time, therefore it requires a positive and determined mindset in order to keep going. We constantly learn from one another in the way that we should interact with the residents – sometimes I’m not sure what question to ask next and my groupmate fills in, or vice versa. This added collaborative aspect not only helps us learn ways in which we can improve our own communication when there might be barriers, but also helps bring us closer as a group due to this unique shared experience. To truly be successful with this service, we must continue to persevere and commit fully to this activity.

Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance. Students are able to identify and demonstrate their understanding of global issues, make responsible decisions, and take appropriate action in response to the issue either locally, nationally or internationally.

We’re now in the midst of running our GC event, which hopes to raise money for children in Jaipur, India by supporting their shelter homes. We’re taking action by running an event which is to raise awareness about this issue, but also to raise money by engaging our school community in a meaningful way. We’ve been working with our GC members in collaboration to increase awareness about this event.

We hope to raise atleast $500 for this event but are hoping for more as we’ve engaged the primary, middle and high school in this competition. We cannot wait to learn from this, in terms of how we can successfully promote this event and increase engagement, for us to have raise funds for the children.

LO6: “Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance. Students are able to identify and demonstrate their understanding of global issues, make responsible decisions, and take appropriate action in response to the issue either locally, nationally or internationally.”

I have now attended two sessions of my local service. I wanted to take part in this service since Grade 10 but couldn’t due to outside of school committments, but this year I’m free and able to commit my time to this incredible cause. I always think that working with the elderly is so important, because if you think about it, elderly folk don’t feel old at heart really – they still feel young, they want to live their life and not depend on others. Your mind stays youthful yet your body doesn’t follow. The issue this service combats specifically is dementia and Alzheimer’s, a disease that 1 person is diagnosed with every four seconds (“What is Alzheimer’s disease?” – Ivan Seah Yu Jun) This disease slowly takes away everything that we believe makes up a person: their memories, their personality and sense of self, and this is a problem that not only affects the individual themselves but hurts those close to them too. This is a significant issue because it is a disease that we don’t have the cure to yet, and it isn’t specific to one race or one nationality. It’s an international disease, which doesn’t discriminate against anybody. I am excited to learn more about how to even help make the days of those who have dementia a little bit better, and the science behind music therapy to aid in their memory recall (even if just temporarily). I am really hoping that we’ll be able to go and make a difference in these people’s lives, even if its just for five minutes.