Full Credit to the 31 Hasting Christian School athletes who came to Cornerstone this week, and kept our exchange shield. The competition was a lot closer this year across the ten games, with volleyball and dodgeball being particularly close affairs. Cornerstone won hockey, our strongest sport, whilst Hastings dominated the football as usual.
The event is primarily about bringing together the very similar schools, with evening and morning worship, and a lot of fun between games and late night chocolate fish.
Thanks to Mr McDonald for tirelessly organising yet another sporting event, and we look forward to 2020, when Cornerstone travels to Hastings to play in their new Gymnasium. 

It was a glorious sunny day at Linklater Reserve this week, as Cornerstone Christian School enjoyed the recently completed public reserve. With CCS students helping the city council design the park, it's 1.5km loop track and BMX track were put to good use today. 

The Open Girls cross country race was won by Shantay Savea for Naphtali tribe - the representative swimmer also showing good speed on land. The Open Boys race was won by Benjamin Murray, who was then summoned to help his Issachar tribe on the BMX track,  filling in their last team position.
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The school's first BMX competition saw some big jumps as the the lead changed several times over the day. Nate Spargo of Issachar tribe put in the fastest lap on the Linklater BMX track with the last ride of the day - securing Issachar tribe second place behind a dominant Asher tribe.  

The overall winning tribe of the combined event is not yet known, but at the time of writing Naphtali tribe hold a strong lead over Issachar and Zebulun tribes. 

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. 

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. 

 Cornerstone's first ever Year 7-13 Prize Giving was a night of special memories, celebrating successes and fond farewells.

• In the school tribe competition the big lead that Zebulun and Naphtali had mid-year, was slashed by the year's final events. After the final event, which was school discipleship points, was counted Naphtali tribe won the overall shield by a whisker. 
• Winning sporting accolades were Kate McDonald with the Junior Sports cup, Natalya Bissell with service to sports, each playing coaching, and umpiring several sports.
  ​The Dux Ludorum award for overall sporting excellence went to Opeti Tuimana, recognised by Sport Manawatu as the top Hockey player in the region, after his achievements at national level.
• The top arts award, Dux Artium, went to Head Girl Lily Tongs, whose singing, drama and especially dance efforts in local competitions, were deservedly recognised.
• Academically, the inaugural Dux Litterarum was awarded to Caitlyn Brown, whose consistent academic prowess, also saw her win $16,000 worth of university scholarships.
• It was also a night of recognising Christian character and service to the school, with Olivia De-Groot, whose passion for service and helping others saw her volunteer in a number of places both in and out of school. Olivia was also recognised as Proxime Accessit, and Board of Trustees Representative. 

Goodbyes were said to leaving staff, including Assistant Principal Mr Black, who is heading to bible college next year. The night ended with a light-hearted farewell video from staff, to the school's first Year 13 class, many of whom had been together since pre-school. With former Principal Nigel Tongs on the piano, we sung our school song for the last time to departing students, reminding them of our purpose as Cornerstone Christian School.

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!

Knowing a win in this event would push them to first place, Zebulun tribe was full of colour and energy on Top Tribe day. Traversing through a series of 16 challenges, teams of around 15, were selected based on keeping brothers and sisters together. 
For many staff the highlight of the day was seeing teenagers rush to support and encourage their much younger team mates - in a sign of true Cornerstone character. 
Sadly for Zebulun, Asher tribe came first, with Naphtali a close second with only value points to be counted for the overall annual trophy.  

"I really liked hanging out with my little buddy", was the clear message from a number of Year 11 students. Having been teamed with tiny Year 1 and 2 students for the afternoon sports, senior students really rose to the challenge. This combined tribe event was mostly about team work and sportsmanship, and it was delightful to see senior students take this, (and their little buddies) on board.
Year 3 and 4 students combined with Year 9 and 10s, and Year 4-8 students also formed teams to play games such as Dodge-Ball, Long-Ball, and Capture the Flag.
​Asher tribe had the most points at the end of the day, but in this event, the real victory was helping out the little guy. 

For the first time in the Secondary School we have begun an important tradition between Cornerstone Christian School and Hastings Christian School.  The annual sports exchange between the two schools was a huge success and stoked the flames of competition between them.  The exchange consisted of:

• Volleyball
• Basketball
• Netball
• Soccer
• Debating
• Chess

Cornerstone was soundly beaten in the sporting activities, but was victorious in the debating and chess.  The next exchange will be in Palmerston North 2017, when our brand new Gym will be available!

Upon arriving at school this morning, students were greeted with diggers and road cones -
the first round of site preparation for the new Gymnasium. 

The weather was beautiful, the students well behaved, the Schnell reserve tracks hilly and scenic, and yet the same tribe won again.
Zebulun had the lead after Year 1 - 8 races, however Naphtali tribe overhauled them to finish first overall, with Zebulun second and Issachar third. Regan D and Natalya B won the Open Boys and Girls races respectively.

Cornerstone relay team swimming in the nearest lane
​at the Manawatu Inter-Secondary Swimming Competition.

For the first time in the history of the secondary school, a rugby team was created that got to compete in the local 7s Rugby competition.  The young men did the school proud! They even scored some tries against the PNBHS foe.

With great costumes, plenty of new school records, and thankfully no sunburn, the year's second Tribe competition was a great success today. Over 200 students from years 5 to 12 competed at the Massey Athletics track across 13 throwing, jumping and running events for their tribe.

Asher and Naphtali tribes were the front runners for most of the day with Asher comfortably winning the Athletics shield. Asher Tribe also won both premier competitions with Jarryd Burrows and Natalya Bissell awarded Senior Boys and Girls Athletics Champions respectively. Zebulun Tribe claimed third over Issachar, in a battle that came down to the final relay. 

​With a growing high school, this year's athletics event flagged a significant milestone for the school - it was the first year that the staff relay team was beaten, despite Mr Henderson's best efforts, by all four open boys tribe teams.