Last week, our Head Boy, WJ Meyer, and Head Girl, Eilidh Lucas, spoke to our secondary students about what they perceive the strengths of Cornerstone are. Central to their speech, was the message of community and the connectedness that we are blessed to have here at the College. Let me share a few lines of what they said.

 ‘Ask any student what they most enjoy about coming to Cornerstone and they will probably mention community. Despite Cornerstone’s many other virtues, we choose to identify with one in particular, this sense of community. Why is it that we so cherish this community spirit and why is it so synonymous with Cornerstone?’

WJ and Eilidh spoke for a few moments about how within the broader sense, community in our world is breaking down. However, they see, that due to the foundation of prayer, connection with God, and living out the mandate God calls us to with respect to loving one another, that Cornerstone is ‘a bastion of community in a world slowly losing its social connectivity’.

It thrills me to see our students appreciating how set apart Cornerstone is, and even more so, to be able to communicate with such insight the source of the community spirit we have.

It is summed up in the verse from Matthew 22:37 ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’

They closed their speech with this line, and it fits beautifully for me to do the same:

‘It’s this fellowship which people see and remark upon when they visit the school. In knowing this we can further build upon it and take this sense of community out into the rest of society.’

Amen to that.

Bruce.

Over the past few years, Year 12 students at Cornerstone Christian College have participated in a retreat, which has been designed to provide students with skills and tools to help them as they gear up towards the last phase of their secondary education.

With a new Deputy Principal, Mr Boyd Davey, on staff this year, some tweaking has occurred which will give these senior students time away from the books in three separate events.  Day One of Survive and Shine 2013 was held last week, and proved to be a beneficial experience for everyone involved.

Organised by College Chaplain, Debbie Robinson, with input provided from Mr Will Meyer, Mr Boyd Davey and Miss Jo Needham, the students had their day divided into two distinct parts.

The morning was spent on the Willyabrup Cliffs, and students abseiled their way down from rocky outcrops and cliff faces, and rock-climbed a return route.  Team work, personal challenge and a change of scenery all gave the participants the opportunity to reflect and consider how best to achieve what may seem like a difficult activity.  It was an allegory of what Year 12 can be like.

Following this strenuous activity, students were bussed to a nearby resort, and utilised the conference facilities for some discussion on how best to tackle the educational challenges that lie ahead.  The session was designed to be very practical, and some meaningful dialogue came from what was presented.

Additional day retreats will be provided in coming months.

Survive and Shine is an annual event on the Cornerstone College calendar, and is considered a necessary part of the Year 12 education offered here.

 

In 2013, the new LOTE (Language other than English) at Cornerstone Christian College is Mandarin.  Across the school, students from Years 3 – 8 will be taught the world’s fastest growing language by College teacher, Mikael Sandlund.

With the Chinese New Year being celebrated over the next two weeks, students are commencing this new field of study with an appreciation for the importance this calendar date is for the Chinese people.

Students within the Primary school have been busy creating ‘Hongbaos’, which in English means ‘Red Wrapped Lucky Money’.  The traditional gift of money is given to children during the Chinese New Year Festival, and is distributed within these decorated red envelopes.  Chinese children will travel to relatives and receive a monetary gift which symbolises the new wealth of the new year.

Students spent the first day of classes also learning how to write on their name tags that they were either a boy or girl, and the ’fu’ character, which means happiness and wealth.

Mr Sandlund spent several years working in China, and is now enjoying sharing his love for the Chinese language and people with the students at Cornerstone.

Happy New Year.

 

 

A new era in student recognition has begun in recent days, with Awards and Graduation Nights claiming a higher profile than ever before at Cornerstone.

With the theme of ‘Shine’, the College has partnered with a team of amazing sponsors to provide awards and acknowledgements in ways never before achieved here.  With over $7000 of trophies, vouchers, cash prizes and scholarships , students were given more reasons to do their best across a whole range of areas.

In addition to the recognition of students strengths in the academic, endeavour, service and character areas, the graduation of our Year 6 and Year 12 students became a whole of school affair.  An initiative of College Principal, Bruce Douglas, the recognition of these significant milestones became a marker of passage for each student moving onto a new phase in their lives.

The Secondary Graduation and Awards Night was held on December 5, and the 500 seat auditorium was packed with family and friends of the high-school students.  Whilst the recognition of students was the centrepiece of the night, students also were given the opportunity to display their musical talent and acting skills during award transition periods.  The evening, which could have been long and arduous given the number of students acknowledged, instead became an entertaining and interesting night.

College Principal Bruce Douglas gave a heartfelt message, calling students, both current and graduate, to be the best they could be and not waste the talents or opportunities God brings their way.   The graduates were donned in caps and gowns, and as they walked onto the stage, their favourite piece of scripure was read.  It was a moving moment that already has Year 11 families seeking dates to ensure their broader families can be in attendance in 2013.

On Thursday, December 6, the Primary equivalent was held, with student performances and dance showcased, and the Year 6 students being presented with their graduation certificates towards the end of the evening.  Mr Troy Buswell, State Treasurer and local member was on hand, and brought some light moments to the evening with his banter with College Principal, Bruce Douglas.  The crowd of well over 500 showed appreciation for all of the elements of the night.

The Year 6 Dux went to Caitlin Lucas, and the Year 12 Dux went to Shenae Mazure.  The new Head Boy and Head Girl for 2013 were also announced, and they are WJ Meyer and Eilidh Lucas.

The night was entitled ‘Shine’, and those present did just that.  A wonderful way to celebrate a remarkable year at Cornerstone Christian College.

The award winners of the two nights provide a lengthy list, but they were as follows:

Year 10 Subject Awards

T & E                      Travis BENTINK

HPE                        Jamey GARRETT

Arts                        Dewi HANRAN-SMITH

Bible                      Celeste DYKSTRA

Maths                   Eilidh LUCAS

Science                 Eilidh LUCAS

S & E/ History     Eilidh LUCAS

ENG                       Eilidh LUCAS

Year 11 Subject Awards

English Stage 1  Josh Stacey

Maths Stage 1   Elias Joslin

History Stage 2  Anthony Avice du Buisson

Human Biology Stage 2  Loyd King

Careers and Enterprise Stage 1  Jessica Rowe

OED Stage 2        Jessica Rowe

OED Stage 1        David Harrison

PES Stage 2         David Harrison

Visual Arts Stage 2           Ethan Ashton

MDTW Stage 1  Ethan Ashton

Chemistry Stage 2            Conor Egberts

PES Stage 1         Conor Egberts

Visual Arts Stage 1           Tom van der Veen

Bible      Tom van der Veen

BIO – SIDE            Tom van der Veen

English Stage 2  Willem Meyer

Maths Stage 3   Willem Meyer

Physics Stage 2  Willem Meyer

AIT Stage 2          Willem Meyer

MAS – SIDE          Willem Meyer

Year 12 Subject Awards

Maths Stage 3   Bruce Dykstra

Maths Stage 1   Rebecca Lickel

Drama Stage 1   Hannah Blennerhassett

OED Stage 2        Natasha Price

OED Stage 3        Kerri-Anne Brough

MDT Stage 1       Jamie Bosveld

Visual Arts Stage 3           Joshua Jones

Phys Ed Stage 2 Shanae Dykstra

Bible      Shanae Dykstra

Careers and Enterprise Stage 1  Meseret Cohen

English Stage 1  Meseret Cohen

OED Stage 1        Meseret Cohen

Modern History Stage 3                Samantha Ivey

Maths Stage 2   Samantha Ivey

English Stage 3  Samantha Ivey

Chemistry Stage 3            Kaleb Saw

Human Biology Stage 3  Kaleb Saw

MAT 3CD             Kaleb Saw

AIT Stage 3          Kaleb Saw

Human Biology Stage 3  Shenae Mazure

Endeavour Awards

Year 1    Jye McCarthy

Year 2    Amy Kelly

Year 3    Kane Feutrill

Year 4    Veronica Kelly

Year 5    Samuel Riches

Year 6    Melat Cohen

Year 7    Luritha MARTENS

Year 8    Chelsea BRAAM

Year 9    Madieson O’MARA

Year 10 Rebecca MOTT

Year 11 Elias JOSLIN

Year 12 Shenae MAZURE

Character Awards

Year 1    Eva Bailey

Year 2    Ben Forestier

Year 3    Josie Black

Year 4    Jasmine Black

Year 5    Jesse Adams

Year 6    Elijah Tilbee

Year 7    Marli ENSLIN

Year 8    Breeana FORESTIER

Year 9    Daniele ANDREONE

Year 10 Teneil ANDERSON

Year 11 Jessica ROWE

Year 12 Johanna MATHEWSON

Top of Year Awards

Year 3    Elisia Reitinger

Year 4    Hannah Reid

Year 5    Jared Sykes

Year 7    Bianca GERVASI

Year 8    Jack ELLERY

Year 9    Jack WALLACE

Year 10 Eilidh LUCAS

Year 11 Willem MEYER

House Captain Announcements              

REUBEN: Jozef Meyer, Kimberley Combridge

JUDAH: Emily Dolan, Jordan Robinson

NAPHTALI: Tess Bosveld, Jack O’Malley

BENJAMIN: Gemma Begley, Tim Everett

Student Council Announcements           

YEAR 7/8: Aiden Lombard, Bianca Gervasi, Hannah Penfold

YEAR 9: Eli Mapstone, Ashlyn Atkinson

YEAR 10: Emily Robinson

YEAR 11: Teneil Anderson

YEAR 12: Tim Everett, Anthony Avice Du Buisson

Primary Arts Awards

Year 3    Emily Kerr

Year 4    Hannah Reid

Year 5    Mia Passmore

Year 6    Grace Jones

Woodside Scitech Science Awards

Emily Norris

Toby Wallace

Lion’s  Club Year 9 Quiet Achiever Award

Madieson O’MARA

ZONTA Award

Jessica Rowe

Iluka Science Award

Willem Meyer

ECU Year 11 Citizenship Award

Timothy Everett

ADF Awards       Year 10-12

Year 10 Eilidh Lucas

Year 11 Jessica Rowe

Year 12 Rebecca Lickel

Sports Award

Primary:

Male      Diwan Ackerman

Female Niamh Collie

Secondary:

Male      Villiers FOURIE

Female Lauren ALCORN

Excellence in VET Award

Meseret Cohen

Principal’s Award

Natasha van der Wacht

Elias JOSLIN

Stefanes GOUWS

Daniele ANDREONE

Rotary Club Peer Mentoring Award

Meseret COHEN

Parent Citizen Award

Jackie Tully

Caltex All-Rounder

Shanae DYKSTRA

Lauren Van Wees Heart of Compassion Award

Johanna MATHEWSON

Adele Farina Student Leader Award

Hannah Blennerhassett

Nola Marino Citizenship Award

Rebecca LICKEL

Primary Nola Marino Student Leader Award

Jemima Mapstone

Rotary Club Citizenship Award

Hannah Penfold

Make a Difference University  Scholarship

Samantha IVEY

Year 6 Dux

Caitlin Lucas

Year 12 Top of Class – Practical Arts

Jamie BOSVELD

Year 12 DUX

Shenae MAZURE

Announcement of Head Boy and Head Girl 2013

HEAD BOY: WJ Meyer

HEAD GIRL: Eilidh Lucas

 

Mrs Amudala’s Year 10 Science students have been seen recently, attempting to make a big bang on the oval.

With the science behind the reactions of certain chemicals having been explained in class, students were provided with a number of safe alternatives to play with on the oval to try and achieve an impressive reaction.  However, Mrs Amudala didn’t give clear instructions on how to achieve a dramatic result,  but asked students to think through the lessons they have had and determine how best to get a good outcome.  Some student’s thought clearly through and managed to get a fairly good result, but others showed that they needed to re-think their methods to improve the chances of a ‘big bang’.

Later in the week, Mrs A will prove just how good the results can be when all scientific principles applicable here are worked together.  The students have been promised an impressive display.

Science and fun, hand in hand.

College Laboratory Assistant, Dr Caroline Lucas has recently aided students in Mr Cleaver’s Year 8 Science Classes, to deepen their knowledge of the heart.

It’s not an ordinary experience to have a qualified Veterinarian as a school Lab Assistant, but at Cornerstone, this is the case and has recently brought enormous benefits to our students.

Students in the classes were divided into groups of three, and provided with a sheep heart for dissection.  Whilst watching Dr Lucas through a magnified camera generated view on the projection system, students were guided through the process of navigating their way around this important organ, with great details and precision provided.

Students were provided with a sheet which asked them to identify certain parts of the heart, and to note particular characteristics.

A wonderfully informative lesson.

Mr Cleaver’s Year 8 students have had a very delicious learning experience.

His two classes of Science students have been given the task of creating a model of a cell.  The cell could be plant or animal, and had to have all the components of a cell structure included.  The materials were not particularly specified, but the idea of the model being edible quickly caught on and this was the overwhelmingly popular choice for most students.  The results included chocolate cell walls, jelly cytoplasm, Clinker mitochondria and nucleus’ made from chocolate, ice cream, licorice or even different coloured jelly.  Components even went as small as ribosomes made from chocolate sprinkles.

During the construction period of the lesson, the cells weren’t the only recipients of the construction materials.  Students thoroughly enjoyed the tasty process of recalling what was needed to complete the project.  The students were sure to be quite energetic at recess.

One team decided to go against the popular choice, and sewed a model of a cell.

In the lead up to today, students were required to work in teams to plan their model, and to present a paper that showed their understanding of these microscopic structures.  Their assessment will be based on the cells parts and characteristics they recorded, diagrams, their procedure for construction, and finally their model.

A creative and thoroughly enjoyable way to re-inforce the knowledge students have acquired in recent weeks.

 

During Semester 1, Cornerstone had 30 students participating in the Big Science Competition.  Over 37000 students from across Australia took part.  It was a great way to scientific skills in a competitive situation outside of the normal school assessment framework.

Of the 30 students who participated, 4 were awarded Distinction Certificates with a score of between 85 and 94%.  These were Elizabeth Stinton, Jozef Meyer, Rebecca Mott, and Jordan Robinson.

Further to this, 2 students were also awarded a Higher Distinction Certificate, which was only given to students who obtained over 95% in this Australia-wide competition.  Jack Eli & Eilidh Lucas can be incredibly proud of their achievements in receiving this honour.

Next year, the College hopes to have even more students from Cornerstone competing.  Well done to each participant.

College teacher, Will Meyer, is passionate about Science.  His love for the mechanics of how scientific principles work, marries beautifully with his place at the College, and this week has found him particularly enthusiastic.

The reason?   It is National Science Week within Australia.  This initiative of the Australian Government is an annual celebration, and provides an opportunity to enjoy and explore the wonders and benefits of science.

In 2012, Secondary students at Cornerstone have been provided with the opportunity to learn the most spoken language in the world -  Mandarin.

In an effort to etch simple words into the minds of his students, Mandarin teacher, Mr Mikael Sandlund, was seen introducing a simple game that sent the message home.

He placed a bowl of fruit pieces in front of teams of his students, and then provided them with a pair of chopsticks.  When he called out the name of a fruit in Chinese, his students had to quickly use their eating implement to select the correct fruit and successfully carry it across to a bowl about 5 metres away.  This continued until such time as one team was declared the winner.

Cries of ‘píng gu?’ (apple), and  ’xi?ngji?o’ (banana) were heard in the midst of other words the writer could not understand.  It seemed to send the students into a flurry of activity however, so clearly they had learnt their lessons well.

A simple, but creative way of helping the Cornerstone students progress in their studies.