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.

 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.

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.