After months of watching, from the first foundations, to final coats of paint, we've seen our new Gymnasium take shape, and today, the final day of Term 3 it is now open. Already it is being put to good use, with after school activities, holiday clubs booking the venue. The nine metre tall, full size international basketball court with office, and storage spaces, as well as weights, dance and class rooms will no doubt be put to good use for years to come.
Thanks to his Worship the Mayor Grant Smith (pictured), as well as local MP Ian McKelvie, the Proprietors, and local Kaumatua for joining us on the special day.

Tribe teams of over 100 children competed in Tyre turning, rope running, and a whole tribe obstacle course in this afternoon's end of term Tribe competition. Issachar tribe emerged victorious, winning the obstacle course by just a few seconds, and the tyre turning competition as well. 

Once again Cornerstone's values of kindness and humility were to the fore, as the smaller tribe members were befriended, cheered for and sometimes even carried by much bigger buddies. 

Year 12 students Andrew and Caleb received their Silver Duke of Edinburgh awards from Palmerston North Mayor Grant Smith this week.

To earn the silver award, students had to first complete their bronze award, and then complete months of service, playing a sport, learning a skill and finally an expedition, tramping through the ruahine ranges for a few days.

​It is neat to see Cornerstone students living a full and fulfilling life, and we wish these young men well on their next step - the Gold award. 

Cornerstone hosted the second annual Hastings Christian School Sports exchange this week. From the first game where Cornerstone lost 25 to 26 in Netball, to the last game of basketball at the Arena, it proved to be not Cornerstone’s event. Regular Cornerstone sports teams, like Senior Boys Hockey, had convincing wins, and sports that Cornerstone doesn’t regularly play, like Senior Boys Football, had convincing losses. An honourable mention should go to Amon, the only Year 9 on the field in senior boys who earned man of the match as goalie despite the final score being nine to nil.
The event was about more than just sport, starting with a welcoming powhiri ceremony and song, eating meals together, and a combined games night all developed healthy friendships off field – despite the rivalry on field. As one student described it ‘ after spending all this time together, it started to feel like we were all at the same school’. As the Hastings bus left the carpark, Hastings students held up signs to their windows showing contact details, and also showing the strong connection between the schools. 
​Photos by Year 12 and 13 photography students.

Naphtali tribe returned to their 2017 winning form, by coming out clear winner in this year's Cross Country. Run through reserves near Celaeno park, the 3km track, the hills were a quite a challenge for a few runners. This year's competition featured a new collect and combine clues competition for lesser competitive runners. Second place was a close battle with Issachar drawing ahead of Zebulun tribe by a single runner, with Asher tribe a single runner further back - remarkably close considering all runners from Year 5-13 were considered. 

For this term's end of term activities, we had Bible competitions for each year group, as well as a series of summer games. One of the joys of working in a Area school for Years 1-13 is seeing secondary teenagers, take care of and work well with the smaller primary students. Summer sports like Longball, Dodgeball and Non-Stop Cricket took on a new twist as big and small students were paired and each given certain tasks. 

Zebulun Tribe started the day  with a convincing win in the teams Bible knowledge competition - winning most age groups. They continued on the success by winning overall in the Summer Games competition. After 24 events, Issachar tribe and Naphtali tribe, amazingly, were tied for second. 

​Fairy wings, facepaint, and fast running featured at Cornerstone’s first full Year 7-13 Athletics day. Several school records were broken on the recently repainted blue track, as the weather changed about as quickly as each event.

​Final results:

• Rebecca Mark of Asher Tribe was the standout athlete of the day, setting five school records on her way to winning the intermediate girls competition.
  
• Distance runner Joaquin Taylor-Maclean of Zebulun tribe won the Senior boys competition .
  
• Natalya Bissell of Asher tribe won the Senior Girls.
  
• Issachar tribe started the day with a slender lead, however they were overtaken by Naphtali, who in turn were overtaken by Asher tribe. 

It is neat to see hard working scholar, Olivia Brookie recognised for her extra-curricular success in fencing in the local news recently. Winning the silver medal at her first New Zealand national competition was a big surprise, considering she started the sport simply as a way to unwind. 

See the full news article on Olivia's Sword Fighting at the Manawatu Standard's site

Most of the Secondary students turned up at Makino Pool in friendly Feilding on Thursday, last week to take part in the annual Swimming Sports. Organised by Mr Craig McDonald, this was the first time that the event has taken place at this venue and the first time it has run through the whole school day.

It was a fantastic day, including a mixture of traditional and novelty events. There were even a number of teachers that braved the pool and competed in a few of the competitions, one of which was the 'Biggest Splash'! By all accounts, the day was a success, however there can only be one winner... The tribe that scored the most points on the day was Issachar. Congratulations!