As we drew nearer to our end of term 'Summer Games' the weather forecast became more wet and winter-like. So the event was moved indoors to our Gymnasium, comfortably accommodating all 540 of our Year 1 - 13 students.The wacky indoor games were a chance for Secondary Students to bond with, and sometimes even carry their Junior counterparts.

​Issachar and Asher tribe won the bible quiz competitions earlier in the day, before superior basketball shooting from Issachar tribe helped them win the afternoon's games. The term was finished how it started - honouring our Lord as a school with song. 

As part of including our students of Swedish culture, at lunchtime today the national festival of Swedish Waffle Day was celebrated. In Sweden, March 25th is known as the day Jesus came into the world - nine months before Christmas, his birthday.

The queue of students lining up for a waffle were asked to sing the Swedish National Anthem, as well as what sauce they'd like.  

Thanks to the Swedish students who brought us a taste of their culture through hundreds of waffles, and for reminding us of the miracle of Jesus. 

Representing Cornerstone at the Manawatu Inter-Secondary School's Athletics, Reuben Harman won the Open Boys High Jump event with a leap of 1.75m. The athletic basketballer almost managed to jump his own height at the meet. Reuben will next compete at the North Island Schools Athletics Champs.

​As the smallest secondary school of over a dozen at the competition, Cornerstone's Intermediate Boys relay team also represented the school well, finishing just behind the winning team.

Thank you to everyone who supported the annual Cornerstone Gala over the weekend.  From people and businesses who kindly donated goods, to those who manned a stall, or came and purchased food. It was a wonderful event bringing the cornerstone and wider community together.
​Around $25,000 was raised for various projects chosen by the Cornerstone Fundraising Group, including items for a new playground between A and D blocks. 

In a glorious sunny day at the Massey Athletics track, Issachar tribe made a clear statement with another clear victory at secondary athletics. Several records were set on the hot day, cooled by Mr McDonald's supply of water bottles, and ice creams from Mrs Kool. Several students set dominant times and distances, showing Cornerstone will once again punch above its weight at the Manawatu Inter-Secondary Schools Athletics competition. 
The day finished with tribe relays, with the teacher's team again struggling to keep up. Issachar tribe won the junior boys and girls relays, with Zebulun winning the senior Girls relay and Asher tribe setting a blistering new school record to take out the Senior boys. The premier athletics champions were both Year 12 students, with speedy Jono McDonald, and all rounder Bex Mark enjoying the honours. 

For the second year in a row, Issachar tribe won Secondary Swimming Sports at Makino pool. Issachar, the tribe that appears to swim (and run) like a fish, took an early lead in the pool, leaving other tribes to battle for second place. 

The high dive competition saw some memorable entrants this year, with costumes, flips, impersonations, and a few brave teachers, taking the plunge. 

External NCEA results for 2018 have been released, with Cornerstone students enjoying the convenience of sitting examinations actually at our own school for the first time.

When looking at academic results, it is important to acknowledge that "Diligence" is only one of our five school values, and we also aim for students to develop kindness, integrity, etc. However it is also important to celebrate and congratulate our students who have worked very diligently for these results. Highlights of this year's results:

• Once again 100% of Level 1 and 100% of Level 2 students achieved their NCEA qualification
• 92% of students who finished Year 13, acquired University entrance.
• Across NCEA Level 1 - 3, 51% of students earned an overall Merit or Excellence Endorsement
• Top Year 11 scholar, Chloe Grapentin (pictured at prize giving), earned a staggering 40 Excellence Credits in her end of year examinations. This was after earning 77 Excellence Credits internally, meaning, she accumulated the 50 Excellence credits required for endorsement twice over. 

* Students who left school part way through the year were not considered in calculations.