Semester one exams are over for the Year 12 students at Cornerstone, so a two day retreat has been provided to help each of them as they gear up towards the last phase of their secondary education.

Organised by College Chaplain, Debbie Robinson, with input provided from Mr Will Meyer and members of the YWAM team, the students headed for the hills and spent two valuable days together.

Sessions were arranged to promote discussion amongst the group about mechanisms they can engage which will help them prepare for the coming months.  Practical topics, such as determining strategies for dealing with study, keeping a positive attitude, coping with stress and ensuring they keep some balance in their lives were a large part of the focus.  However, the spiritual elements that can be engaged to help on this coming journey were also discussed, with some meaningful dialogue coming from what was presented.

At a point over the time together, students were presented with letters from parents and mentors, who offered encouragement for the recipients.  These letters are a personal and emotional moment in the time away, but pivotal in preparing the students the changes they are facing in their lives in coming days.

As well as the more serious elements of their time together, there was a lot of fun.  Board games, table tennis, and inventive games that brought more laughter than competitiveness helped the students blow off some steam.  Of particular note is the game of ‘Irish Snap’ which whilst having some resemblance to the traditional card game, also involved jacket swapping, jumping in the air and racing to pieces of furniture.  Jigsaw puzzles and even a bit of pampering were all acceptable activities.

The atmosphere was fun, inclusive and obviously successful.  Special thanks must go to Debbie Robinson for her organisation and relaxed manner which aided in bringing the desired outcomes.

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

The Year 12 students at Cornerstone have participated in the final event of their secondary education.  They have been celebrating with staff and parents at the College’s formal Graduation Dinner.

Each year, following the completion of exams and leading up into Leaver’s Week, these graduates gather together over a beautiful meal, wearing their finest non-uniform attire, and witness the various awards and acknowledgements being presented.

The evening included the announcements of Subject Award Winners, the College’s ‘Make A Difference’ awards, the announcement of the College DUX and more.  Photo reflections, a humour tribute song, gifts from students to staff and a final concluding charge to the students by Principal, Bruce Douglas were amongst the events of the night.

The award winners were:

English:   Lillian van der Veen

Human Biology:   Lillian van der Veen

History:  Lillian van der Veen

Mathematics:   Lillian van der Been

Outdoor Education:   Vincenzo Serafino

Physical Education Studies:  Vincenzo Serafino

Physics:   Dylan Spencer

Chemistry:   Ben Casaburi

Applied Information Technology:   Jacob Strutt

Media Production & Analysis:   Jacob Strutt

Art:   Tiffany Murphy

VET:  Nathan Garrett

In addition to the subejct awards, the following presentation were also made.

Caltex All Rounder – Vincenzo Serafino

ECU Personal Excellence – Chalotte Goodbody

Adele Farina MLC Award – Ellie Tully

DUX – Lillian van der Veen

Congratulations to each of the recipients, and we look forward to seeing what unfolds in the future of each of these wonderful students.

The Year 12 students at Cornerstone have completed their time on campus with a less than traditional muck-up day.

Whilst some creative decorations, that included glad-wrap, shaving cream and signage were present, the students spent most of the day with staff at a poolside bbq.

Enjoying each other’s company, eating great food and reminiscing were all high on the agenda.  With senior staff present and helping the Year 12s celebrate the end of their education, the day was less ‘muck-up’ and more ‘wind-down’.

TEE exams have commenced already, with Physics and History exams involving Cornerstone students today.

We wish every one of our graduating students the very best in their exams, and pray that they obtain the results they deserve.  We look forward to seeing the future plans these young men and women make.

Whilst they have now left our campus, they will forever remain as part of Cornerstone.

Three Year 12 students, who have a particular interest in pursuing University studies in the fields of nursing and teaching, have recently spent time with some young students, watching behaviours and learning about the process of engaging with these youngsters.

Mrs Jill Wright, a staff member at the College, is the initiating teacher behind this subject of  ’Children, Family and Community’.  This lighter weight option will provide practical assistance that will marry beautifully with their TEE studies, and help prepare them for a future with working with children.

According to Jill, the experience has been valuable.  They have spent time with students within the College (Aged 3-5) and analysed the methods that best promote learning within an education establishment.  As the course proceeds, they will engage with families and undertake some study on ideas that can promote learning and development within the home.

Earlier this term, Ellie, Charlotte & Lillian had the opportunity to enter the Pre-Primary classroom, and engage with a beautifully attired group of Pirates and Princesses. 

‘Whilst this is a non TEE subject, it is giving these Year 12 students a chance to have a lighter unit of study, whilst also offering really helpful and practical opportunities for education.  They learnt about the techniques to promote learning whilst in the Pre-Primary classroom, and this can only benefit them in their future plans’, Mrs Wright said.

The Year 12 students will complete an exam at the end of the research.

The Year 12 class of 2010 completed their time at the College today, and spent the day celebrating their years together with some fun activities, after the traditional ‘muck-up’ behaviours.

The staff were greeted to the reception area being wrapped up in gladwrap, some creative uses of flour and water, and the movement of desks into their less than traditional homes.  After putting these small inconveniences in place, they spent time together at the Leisure Centre, before finishing off the day with a celebratory bbq.

The students will now spent time preparing for the TEE exams, before a final formal graduation evening later in the year.

We pray that every student will find their time in preparation for their exams fruitful and that they will all attain their required results to follow the careers of their choice.  All the very best!

The Annual pilgrimage of Year 12 students to our region is well know.  ”Leavers” come in their thousands to Busselton and Dunsborough to celebrate the end of their Secondary Education.

An unfortunate side-effect of this event is the high level of drugs and alcohol that the schoolies consume during their stay.

For the first time, Cornerstone Church of Christ, in conjunction with Cornerstone Christian College have provided an alternative leavers event for its students and other interested graduates during this period.  The idea was initiated by a number of students who wanted the chance to relax after the stresses of TEE, but weren’t interested in the traditional event.  As a result, a group of Year 12′s, with a parent in attendance, headed South for the week and camped at Parry Beach.  This alcohol-free event provided the students with all the fun and celebration without the un-necessary risks and associated behaviours.

According to Mr Greg Spencer, the event was a great success.  He was there at the request of students - yet other than providing a form of supervision, was not responsible for the behaviour of the Year 12′s.  They set the guidelines for desired behaviour before they left and monitored one another to ensure these were maintained.  As they moved through the region, the exemplary behaviour and manner of the students caught the eye of many locals and tourists and positive comments were left in the wake of the leavers. 

Due to the success of the event there are plans to increase the profile of this event in coming years.  This initiative is likely to become available to a wider part of the community and hopes to offer a viable alternative to the traditional Leaver’s week. 

Year 12 students from Cornerstone in 2010 have a good deal to look forward to.

The pressure of upcoming TEE exams has been significantly reduced for one Cornerstone Year 12 student.

Rebekah has been offered an early placement by the University of Notre Dame. Annually, the University seeks to attract academically strong students who have also made an outstanding contribution to their school, church and community. Applications for consideration are lodged by secondary schools and Bek has been acknowledged as being suitable for this program.

Bek has always wanted to pursue Physiotherapy, and so after a gap year in 2010, she will commence her Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree at their Fremantle campus.

Notre Dame University has over 7000 students at its three campuses, and only 136 Early Offers have been presented this year. The College is immensely proud of Bek being selected and acknowledged with this honour.