Elilidh (Year 7) and Natasha (Year 9) are just two of the students from Cornerstone Christian College who have recently been acknowledged in the annual WA Monitoring Standards in Education (WA-MSE) testing as having results that are well above the State averages. Infact, Natasha and Elilidh, along with several other students from the College obtained the highest results possible.

The WA-MSE testing provides state monitoring of results in Society & Environment and Science for students in Year 5,7 & 9. This tool enables schools throughout the state to celebrate areas of strength and consider those that may need further development.

Students at Cornerstone Christian College have performed remarkably well, and not just as individuals, but as entire year groups. In the Year 9 Science class of which Natasha is a part, 42% of students are in the top 20% of children within the State. Similarly, in Year 5, 41% are also in this position in Science Investigating.

Senior staff at the College are delighted with the results of so many students, yet are still working on improving outcomes for each child who attends the College.

Principal Graeme Cross stated: “We are extremely pleased with the performance of our students in these tests, but these results aren’t the real measure of the quality of a school. Our desire is to see students achieve academic excellence and grow in character’’.

Year 9 & Year 10 students from across the Southwest were invited to participate in the Bunbury based Regional Parliament event.  Students have been able to view a sitting of Parliament, as well as a select few being asked to participate in the Student Parliament that occurred during this same period.

Cornerstone had four Year 10 students selected to take part in this second event.  Ashley, Daniel, Jesse and Jack were given the opportunity to represent a particular electorate and in some cases, had the sitting members contact them and offer them support and encouragement.

Mr Steve Tully, the co-ordinating teacher, believes that the opportunity has been tremendous for these Cornerstone students.  ”Each student assumed the role of a sitting member and had to participate in two activities such as tabling a motion or debating a law change.  Cornerstone was lucky enough to have had one of our students chosen to be the Speaker , who was probably the most important figure on the day.”

Mr Tully was impressed with how the Cornerstone students performed.  He was impressed with their ability to contribute in a logical and consistent manner.   Jack’s expertise in the role of speaker particularly caught Mr Tully’s eye.

The students debated current issues relevant to their real-life member’s electorate.  Additionally, debate was encouraged on the matter of voting age, as well as a current bill in relation to tattoos and piercings.  Significant preparation was required by the students to ensure they could contribute appropriately.

As for our four participants, it appears that they have quickly settled back into the realities of College life from the heights of political fame.  As for future political ambition – well they aren’t sure.  That is something we shall just have to wait and see.

A showdown of Year 8 students verses their parents resulted in a close competition recently at a College Quiz Night.  When it came to spelling acquiesce & shillelagh the parents had it made, but science was very much an area of strength for the students. 

 Hosted by Mr Cameron, the evening of friendly competition was a test of who could score the most in a variety of knowledge areas.  Questions were supplied by teachers from their specific subjects, and effort had been made to ensure the topics were quite challenging. 

The Year 8 girls took their skills against the Year 8 boys – and both groups were keen to make sure their parents didn’t win the event.  Even supper was a point of competition, with a slice bake-off offered as part of the refreshments for the evening.

The result?  Well, the Year 8 boys can claim victory for the evening.  It was a narrow competition, but it is fairly certain that the Year 8 boys won’t let that stop them from reminding parents of the results for some time to come!  

Year 11 Websites

After many weeks of work, the Year 11 AIT class have completed their major production projects.  Students were required to create an html website with the design concept reflecting their interests.  The site also includes material documenting the process of production which is a Curriculum Council requirement.  One of the interesting features of each site is the photo viewer which was created in Adobe Flash.  Another noteworthy feature is an introductory foray into the world of online surveys – be sure to fill in the form when you visit a website! The level of competence that the completed projects display means that we can expect really exciting work from these students in 2010 when they take on the challenge of their final year.  Visit the AIT2 Student Work Page in order to view the websites.