Primary School students at Cornerstone Christian College  were recently seen sporting the craziest of hairstyles – not for fashion, but for fundraising.

Year 5 student, Jackson Stokes, was the brainchild behind a fundraising day for the Cystic Fibrosis  Foundation.  The event was driven by young Jackson, who wished to share with students at the College about this disease, and to raise awareness amongst his peers.

As such, Jackson organized, with the assistance of staff, a free-dress ‘red clothes day’ and also encouraged students to wear ‘crazy hair’.  He and his sister Abbey, then spoke to students about the effects the disease can have on someone who has it.  To conclude the events of the day, they demonstrated how to make a paper rose as part of the ’65 Roses’ story.  A competition was held amongst a number of classes to create the best looking bouquet.

According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website, the 65 Roses story goes like this:

“65 Roses” is what some children with cystic fibrosis (CF) call their disease because the words are much easier for them to pronounce.

Mary G. Weiss became a volunteer for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in 1965 after learning that her three little boys had CF. Her duty was to call every civic club, social and service organization seeking financial support for CF research. Mary’s 4-year-old son, Richard, listened closely to his mother as she made each call.

After several calls, Richard came into the room and told his Mom, “I know what you are working for.” Mary was dumbstruck because Richard did not know what she was doing, nor did he know that he had cystic fibrosis. With some trepidation, Mary asked, “What am I working for, Richard?” He answered, “You are working for 65 Roses.” Mary was speechless.

He could not see the tears running down Mary’s cheeks as she stammered, “Yes Richard, I’m working for 65 Roses.”

Since 1965, the term “65 Roses” has been used by children of all ages to describe their disease. But, making it easier to say does not make CF any easier to live with. The “65 Roses” story has captured the hearts and emotions of all who have heard it. The rose, appropriately the ancient symbol of love, has become a symbol of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

65 Roses^® is a registered trademark of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’.

The result of the day at Cornerstone, was that $360 was raised for the foundation, and students are well informed about this particular condition.  A success all round.  Well done Jackson!

Here at Cornerstone we are a community and hopefully we are learning together in community. It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a child to raise a village. I found the following blog post that explains this perspective:

It is in the eyes of a child that we can see the hope and innocence that outshines the harsh realities. It is in the simple words of a child that we can hear the truth. It is in the simple lines drawn by a child that we can see the promise of great things to come. It is in the smile of a child that we find delight and amazement. It is in the tears of a child that we understand the pain of disappointment. It is in the tragic death of a child that a community unites. It is in the love of a child that one can find redemption. It was the birth of a child that brought us God’s plan for salvation. It is with our children that we are able to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, especially the joy of play. It is in our children that we invest in our tomorrows. It is with children that one remembers that adults don’t always get it right, but when we put our children first, we are usually able to do the right thing. It is in investing in our children and their future that we will raise our villages of tomorrow.

(Source: Gale D. Thomas. (2012, October 29). It takes a child to raise a village [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://gigismentalnotes.com/2012/10/29/it-takes-a-child-to-raise-a-village/

Matthew 18:3 says “And Jesus said, “I tell you the Truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

God Bless

Bruce

Four Year 12 students who are completing 3A  Outdoor Education at Cornerstone, recently spent four days exploring the Broke Inlet area near Walpole.

These senior students were responsible for the organisation and planning of this expedition, and had a glorious environment to test out their skills.

After hitting the water on day one, they made their way around Broke Inlet, finding remote locations to camp at each night.  With such a wonderful backdrop and perfect conditions, they considered themselves blessed, but there were a few unexpected highlights to celebrate as well.

At night, they witnessed a shower of falling comets,  experienced two nights of a fireworks training event occurring in close proximity, as well as distant flares coming from remote fishing villages.  Given that one of the days away was teacher, Greg Spencer’s birthday, much was made of the fireworks as being an initiative that the students organised to celebrate the occasion.  However this experiential addition came about, it did make the expedition a truly memorable time away, and students and supervising staff will recall moments for years to come.

The Outdoor Education program at Cornerstone Christian College is well established and well resourced, and one that is popular amongst the student body at Cornerstone.

With a theme of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, Secondary students at Cornerstone Christian College recently put on their finest and attended their Annual Senior School Ball.

Students showed as much glamour in their attire, as they did in creativity with their arrivals.  From Kombi vans, horse floats and car trailers, to vintage cars, trucks and more, there was little in the transport department that was not utilised on the night.

Following the arrivals, the students joined with parents for Pre-Ball drinks at Abbey Beach Resort, and then moved into the Ballroom for the main event.

Student leaders planned much of the night, including the theme and decorations.  These young men and women have every reason to be extremely proud of the way the evening came together.  The integrity and responsibility of our secondary students was shown in how they conducted themselves on the evening, and was highlighted with several staying behind after the event to help clean up.

The Busselton-Dunsborough Mail was on site to capture the couples as they arrived, and photos will be found shortly of all participants on their website.  Additionally, formal photos and arrival photos will be available to students in the coming weeks.

As for the stand-outs on the night, the following awards were given out:

Beau: Jordan Robinson

Belle: Lauren Rogers

Cutest couple: Ethan Ashton & Jess Rowe

Best arrival: Gabe Cawley & Tess Bosveld

Best dressed female: Lovisa Sandlund

Best dressed male: David Harrison

Dance master (male): Elias Joslin

Dance master (female): Brooke Mills

A terrific evening of celebrating our most senior students.  Special thanks must go to Mr David van der Tang, and his team of secondary helpers who made the night such a success.

The annual Middle School (Year 7 & 8) Camp commenced last week, with the first event a showdown on the water in a Bathtub Derby.

Construction of crafts was left to students and parents, with the final products delivered to camp along with everything else.  After claiming dormitories, a quick change into swimwear was on the cards, and then teams took to the beach ready for the true testing of their watercraft.  SS Unsinkable and H3O were amongst the more creatively named crafts.

This year, new rules were applied.  The creations were to be boats, and not rafts.  Most adhered to the rulings, with some very clever design techniques applied.  A catamaran, a boat with a keel, canoes and more were seen amongst the flotilla, but often with the simple designs performing best upon the water.

Some disintegrated upon contact with the water, but others were extremely resilient and buoyant.  Most crafts were designed to carry two crew, but some carried one.  The benefits of having two students on board with the capacity to help propel the boats was an advantage.

A number of parents came along to watch their children’s participation, with some holding particular interest as they had invested knowledge and time into the design process.  One Dad, who wishes to remain anonymous, had spent three weeks on the design, which proved very sea-worthy, but ‘was let down by the crew, who had an un-natural capacity to keep travelling in circles’, he said.

The morning was one that showed great teamwork, and a lot of good natured competition amongst the students.

The winning tea was Pania Kara and Eleanor Hartill.  Other prizes were given to the boats considered the most decorated, and the one that utilised the most masking tape.

A sensational day for everyone.

Colin Buchanan is a name that is well known across a number of fields within Australia, and this week, Cornerstone became his audience.

Colin Buchanan’s unique career is as successful as it is diverse.  He has 9 Golden Guitars to his credit, is an APRA and ARIA award winner, is loved by a generation of children for his role on ABC TV’s iconic Play School, is one of Australia’s most successful picture book authors and internationally acclaimed Christian children’s artist

Colin has grown to become Australian country music’s go-to song collaborator, contributing to the award-winning careers of Lee Kernaghan, John Williamson, Troy Cassar Daley, Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, Adam Brand, Melinda Schneider, The Bushwackers, Tamara Stewart, Amber Lawrence, Markus Meier and Tania Kernaghan.

During his time with the College and Cornerstone Church, Colin’s focus was on his younger audience.  He and his friend ‘Nudge’ the puppet took children on an entertaining journey of unpacking who Jesus is and that ’10,9,8, God is Great’.  With his well-known humour and ability to engage with the whole audience clearly on show, Colin was a very welcome guest with the diversity of generations present.  Many were able to begin the journey of introducing their own children to a man that they themselves grew up with.  His renown for teaching children the truths of scripture was much discussed amongst the parental group present.

A wonderful opportunity to have a man who has been powerfully used by God across so many fields impacting on these youngsters.

 The story of Easter is central to the Christian message, and accordingly, what Cornerstone Christian College is all about.

As such, the weeks leading into Easter are filled with more than just the expected academic endeavours.

Re-visiting the historical events of Jesus’ death and resurrection are firmly on the agenda for many classes, and the Kindy and Pre-Primary children have been amongst the first. Delightful children, dressed in costumes that reflect the clothing worn in Jesus’ time, have been acting out the events of Palm Sunday. Mrs Bindi’s class also had morning tea that was based on the last supper, with a student portraying Jesus, and taking on servant-like qualities and sharing food with his friends.

Students playing the part of Jesus will also seen washing the feet of the other students. In Biblical times, this was an act of service. Jesus washed the feet of others, (whose sandaled feet were dusty from the roads they travelled) as an act of servitude and hospitality. The students will be encouraged to translate this act of love for others into life in modern day Australia.

In coming days, they will also be making Hot Cross Buns.

There won’t be visits from the Easter Bunny, or stories of fictional characters – but instead, the greatest act of love ever shown is being remembered.

Throughout the College, tributes to Easter are being made. Amongst them, will be a whole of school assembly, which will give students and families alike the opportunity to celebrate the occasion. It is a wonderful time of year for Christians across the world – and staff at Cornerstone aim to make it that way for every child in our care here.

The Secondary Student Council for 2013 has begun meeting together, and in so doing, planning events and fund-raising initiatives that will benefit the College and the broader community.

Head Girl Eilidh Lucas, Head Boy WJ Meyer, and representatives from each of the year groups, with the guidance of College Teacher, Mrs Lisa Smith, meet regularly to plan ways of making the Cornerstone experience as positive and benefitial as possible.

The councillors from the other year groups are:

Year 7/8:  Hannah Penfold, Aiden Lombard, Bianca Gervasi.

Year 9: Elijah Mapstone and Ashlyn Atkinson

Year 10: Emily Robinson

Year 11:  Teneil Anderson

Year 12:  Jordan Robinson and Anthony Avice Du Buisson.

The Student Council have taken responsibility for sponsoring two children from a third world country, and priority fundraising is given for this.  Additionally, student ideas and interests are discussed and presented to staff, and assemblies and formal events are lead by these young leaders.

Congratulations to each of these young leaders on being selected.

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.

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.