The school Singing and Bible story competition went to a new level this year, with our school Gymnasium as the venue for the first time. Around 700 people came to hear the singing and bible stories, and were also treated to spaceship crashes, ninja fight scenes,  a fake Jesus, and a Grandma eating pizza. 

Asher tribe continued their strong form in the singing competition, this year winning both the junior and the senior event. Meanwhile, Issachar Tribe were marginally ahead of Asher tribe in the bible story - with themes of how God will be with us always, and how faithful he is.  

Cornerstone turned Pink for Pink-Shirt Day - standing for kindness, and not bullying.
Many students gave their hand print in a giant 'celebrating being us' mural.
​Staff also joined in with not just pink clothing but a pink morning tea shout as well.

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. 

We've just had Year 9 Activities Week and Year 10 Camp. Students served the community, enjoyed hiking, swimming, team building and even morning aerobics. There were meaningful worship times, games, and even some Bible smuggling. 

For many students it was a chance to get to know their class-mates and teachers better. At Year 10 camp, the games and activities were certainly fun, but for most the highlight of the week was encountering God in the evening worship. 

Kindly worded cards, acts of service, cupcakes and plenty of chocolate were shared around as Cornerstone celebrated Random Acts of Kindness day today - as the official RAK day is on the weekend. Students seemed quick to join in on a day celebrating one of our core school values - kindness.

"Worth the investment in my child" was how one parent described the Vanuatu trip. 
Instead of taking a holiday, 18 Year 13 Students spent 12 days, serving in Vanuatu this July. Not knowing what to expect when the got off the plane, students found themselves hand making bricks for a school, building a fence for a new church, hiking to unreached villages, and sharing testimonies in schools.
There was strange food, tropical weather, large insects, long drops, and even a half marathon hike for the tenacious group. Working alongside local YWAM Vanuatu staff, students performed their songs, dramas, and shared testimonies to numerous groups around the islands.
​Principal Peter Ferrar was quick to say how proud he was of the students, of their handling all the challenges, and their willingness to serve. "They learnt what it was to really give of themselves, to grow together and personally as a result." said the proud principal, who was clearly keen to return in 2019. 

Thanks to everyone who supported our 40 hour famine night market. Students slept overnight at the school in cardboard boxes, fasting from talking, technology, furniture, food, among other things.

The final tally for amount raised will be announced after the Secondary Arts showcase on the 26th of June, where pieces of art made over famine weekend will be auctioned. 

Hopefully we can raise a good amount for the children of South Sudan. 

​Over $600 was donated for Ms Stewart's Zambia trip today. Cornerstone Teacher Ms Stewart was delighted at the generosity of students, knowing the money goes so much further overseas.
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In previous trips, donated money has bought hundreds of stationery packs, uniforms for poor families, and teaching resources for Limapela Cedric's school near Kitwe in Zambia. It is neat to see students donating their personal money, especially considering our focus value this term is Kindness

Ms Stewart wanted to thank the generosity of the school, and felt humbled by having such support as she steps on the plane for this next mission trip. 

The 2017 Prize Giving will be remembered as the last prize giving not held in the new school Gymnasium, the last without Year 13 leavers, and the last for retiring staff Lynette Olsen and Barry Jackson. 
It is also the first Prize Giving to announce Year 13 Prefects, and a full school council. As representative of the board, Richard Woodmass, pointed out the school roll has doubled over the last seven years, with 485 students now on board. 
Naphtali tribe continued its sporting dominance collecting the Athletics Shield and consequently the overall 2017 trophy.  The Cultures group and Asher tribe also brought a good deal of joy to the stage.  
Daniel McCracken and Lily Tongs were announced as the new Head Boy and Head Girl for 2018. Current Head Girl, Jessica Good, had a busy night to match her busy year. She was awarded First in Painting, a Christian Character award, the Senior Arts cup, the Senior Service Cup, and finally Deputy Head Girl for 2018.

This Term, we are focusing on the book of Psalms and acts of Service.

Students have been enjoying choosing ways to bless and serve others. See Year 9 service activities onsite below - creating resources for Aroha Team, covering text books, sorting out the shed. 

This week senior students are selling fireworks as a fundraiser for the 2018 Vanuatu Trip.
WHERE: Either New World on Pioneer, or on the Corner of Rangitikei and JFK Drive,
WHEN: Thursday 2nd, to Saturday 4th November. 10am - 8pm

This term we studied the book of Ephesians in Lifelab. Students explored topics like Paul's prayer for the people in Ephesus, unity in the Body of Christ,  and the Armour of God. 
Some went beyond filling in discussion questions in their study books - with some impressive colouring in art created. Attached are photos of some of the winners. 

At the end of last term our tribes participated in the inaugural parable competition.  This was a resounding success! It was fantastic to be a part of this family event which has become another way of bringing the whole school together as a community.  Well done to all the tribe leaders and senior students who put in a significant effort to prepare each tribe for their parable.  Congratulations to Zebulun who took out first prize!

The annual World Vision 40 hour famine saw a number of events run at Cornerstone all aiming to honour and raise funds for Syrian refugees. Students ran a relay, a sausage sizzle, created art, ran an auction, and camped out at school. Many students also 'did the famine'.  The student council running these events managed to reach $1100 of their $6000 goal before the art auction and individual sponsorship came in.