Vice Principal of Partnerships and Engagement at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi Laura Brown shares her thoughts about CCA’s
Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) play an integral role in shaping well-rounded students. While academics are a core focus, CCAs and experiences offer unique opportunities for students to discover new interests and develop character.
Furthermore, studies show that students who participate in diverse activities outside the traditional curriculum often exhibit improved academic performance, thanks to the cognitive, social, and emotional skills developed through these experiences.
Academics to activities
From sports and performing arts to educational clubs, CCAs create a vibrant environment where students can hone skills that complement their academic pursuits.
Engaging in activities like Entrepreneurship, Investment Club, Mathletes, Textiles, Public Speaking, or Netball nurtures qualities such as communication, perseverance, and strategic thinking. Through CCAs, students often build friendships and memories beyond their school years.
Additionally, participation in sports, music, or clubs has been linked to higher self-esteem, reduced anxiety, and an increased sense of belonging within the school community.
These activities also promote critical life skills such as resilience, teamwork, and leadership, providing students with a foundation for success in academics and their future careers and personal lives.
By embracing various CCAs, schools can empower students to grow into adaptable, confident, and well-rounded individuals.
How to decide?
Choosing the right CCA when there is much on offer involves reflecting on personal interests and goals. Striking a balance between familiar passions and exploring new areas is key.
This approach allows for individual growth while helping students develop various skills. Younger students might gravitate towards arts, while older students may take leadership roles in organising events or mentoring peers.
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi’s wide selection of over 250 CCAs per term ensures every student has a chance to find an activity they can excel in.
The school’s diverse range of CCAs includes offerings such as Golf at Saadiyat Golf Club, Cross-Country and Beach Clean-ups at Jumeriah Saadiyat, Padel Tennis, the Junior Duke programme and the International Duke of Edinburgh Award programme, during which students complete their Gold Expedition in Nepal.
Adventurous journeys & lifelong lessons
Partnerships with institutions like Louvre Abu Dhabi and Manarat Al Saadiyat offer inspiring experiences, while Enrichment Week provides opportunities for students to develop leadership skills through courses in STEM, sport, cooking, scuba diving and lifeguarding.
Students also embark on exciting local and international trips such as camping in Sir Bani Yas Island, hiking in Oman, exploring culture and heritage in Japan, scuba diving and conservation in the Maldives, surfing in Sri Lanka, or skiing in Switzerland.
More importantly, CCAs and experiences help build critical life skills that students will carry with them long after graduation.
Whether it’s teamwork learned on the football pitch, creative problem-solving in a coding club, or perseverance in mastering learning to ski, the lessons learnt from CCAs extend far beyond the classroom.
By Laura Brown, Vice Principal of Partnerships and Engagement at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi
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