Principal’s PenVision

‘There is a story about a group of climbers who set out to scale a large mountain in Europe. On clear days, a breathtaking peak of snow-capped rocks reigned as king on the horizon, inviting admiration and offering inspiration to the climbers. On days like this, the hikers made great progress. They climbed as one, all looking to the same summit. Yet, on some days, the peak was hidden from view. Then the climb became arduous. Eyes were cast downward, the goal forgotten. ‘ I love the above picture that is painted by Max Lucado in his book ‘God Came Near’. It speaks of our need for vision and goals. This is a concept that I believe is central to what we believe here at Cornerstone, and what we hope to instill into your children. When we can clearly see where we are going, and comprehend that God has a plan for our lives, we have the drive to keep working hard. When we lose sight of what we are going after, the journey is much harder. As Max continues, ‘As long as our goal is within eyesight, there is no summit that we can’t scale. But take away our vision, and discouragement results’. For us as a College, the same concept applies. We are on the cusp of new developments and new frontiers that are being explored. To wander aimlessly through this time would see these projects become more difficult to achieve, or even come to a standstill. However, we believe that God has placed a vision in the eyes of the Board and Leadership, which will take us on a journey that is inspired by what our Creator has in store for us. Proverbs 29:18a ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish’. That really says it all.

this issueDevelopment Update

Footpath Construct ionGossip Free Zone

PO Box 775Grace CourtBusselton WA 6280p: (08) 9754 1144f: (08) 9754 1142e: admin@cornerstone.wa.edu.auw: www.cornerstone.wa.edu.au

www.cornerstone.wa.edu.au

DATES to REMEMBER

April 7-9 and then 9-11Red Cross Cadets Tribal Camps

April 10Primary Parent Assembly Year 42:00pm Auditorium

Coming up in Term 2

April 28Pupil Free Day

May 7-9Outdoor Education Expedition Stage 2

May 22Primary Parent Assembly Year 3/4

TERM DATESMonday Feb 3 - Friday April 11

Term 2 DatesTuesday 29 April - Friday 4 July

Bruce

5I S S U E

8 t h A p r i l2 0 1 4

NEWSLETTER

A M i n i s t r y o f

C o r n e r s t o n e C h u r c h

o f C h r i s t I n c

w w w . c o r n e r s t o n e b u s s e l t o n . c o m

CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

Around the College

Cleaver’s ClangersTo write with a broken pencil is pointless. Local Area Network in Australia : The LAN down under.

Development UpdateReference has been made by Mr Douglas in his front page item, about the future plans that the College has.We wish to advise to the broader College community, that just over a week ago, Cornerstone lodged an application with the Department of Education Services for two new schools in our area. We have asked to relocate our Secondary campus in the next few years to a location in Vasse, with the current campus becoming a Primary school. Further to this, we have land secured in Dunsborough and have applied for approvals to commence an additional Primary school there. Land negotiations are progressing with the owners of the Vasse site, and we are also working closely with our Architects to design the campus layout for both new schools.It is an exciting time, and we want to start communicating to the current College community about our plans, with the hope that you will start to also enjoy this pivotal turning point in Cornerstone’s history. It is after all, your school, and is a journey we long to partner with you in.

Kiss N Drop ZoneIt may be time to provide a refresher on the way the Kiss-n-Drop zone works. Please ensure that you do not park in this area, and be aware that the driver is not to exit the vehicle at any time. If you need to exit the vehicle, please park elsewhere and leave the Kiss and Drop Zone completely free for other traffic to quickly collect or deposit their children. A parking brochure is available which explains how the kiss and drop zones work on the website or at:http://issuu.com/scrobins/docs/final_parking_brochure

Parking and Footpath ConstructionPlease ensure that if using the informal parking bays in Waratah Court, that reverse parking is exercised.In the coming holidays, the footpath will be constructed which we hope will be the commencement of improving the workings of parking and pick-up in this street. The City is performing this work and it may require the full task to be completed over a few stages.

Gossip Free ZoneThe College has a really strong sense of community, and we very much celebrate that parents gather together and form strong friendships. One area that we would like to see improve, is in how we deal with our concerns. Please be aware that if you have a concern with a school related issue, that it is far more beneficial to talk to your class teacher, or if necessary the relevant Deputy, than have car park discussions with other parents. Those discussions won’t deliver change, but can eat away at the College’s work. Please come and talk to those who can make a difference. We need your feedback - both good and bad, but really ask that discussions amongst families are directed where it is most healthy. Thanks in anticipation!

Vasse Art ShowThe Vasse Art Award is on again, and with over 330 pieces on display this year, will be beneficial to attend. Included this year is work by our very own Mrs Douglas!When: Saturday 12 April - 20 AprilEXHIBITION OPENMonday - Thursday 10am ~ 3pmSaturday - Sunday 10am ~ 5pmCLOSED Good Friday

Parent Interview NightThank you to the parents who attended the Secondary Parent Interview Night last week. This is always a helpful time to bring parents up to speed on areas of their children’s education where teachers feel it is helpful to have round table discussion. Thanks for coming. Partnership is a key area that helps us deliver successful outcomes for each child at the College.

Parent AssembliesThis Thursday Mrs Meyer’s Year 4 class leads the Primary Parent Assembly. Please come along and witness these wonderful students in action. It is scheduled for 2:00pm in the auditorium.

Kids XadventureRecently, several students from the College entered the Kids Xadventure in Dunsborough. We are delighted to announce that our Under 11’s team, comprising of Lucas Kemp, Sebastian McGuinness and Daniel Heyes came home in first place. Further to this, Eva Stiler came second in the individual Under 13’s competition and Grace Bailey, Noah McGuinness and Jeremy Heyes came in third place in the Under 15’s team. Well done to all!

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding

remains silent. Proverbs 11:12

OFFICE HOURSThe Administration Office is

open from 8:15am to 4:30pm,

Monday to Friday.

Please note that if you call

the office before 8:15am it is

likely to go to message bank.

Additionally, coming into the

office prior to 8:15am will find it

unattended.

Staff are in meetings prior to

this time.

CANTEENThe College canteen is open

for business on Wednesday,

Thursday and Friday of each

week.

We prefer that orders be placed

via the online canteen.

Visit

www.ouronlinecanteen.com.au

The menu is also available for

viewing online at the College

website.

Orders must be placed by

9:30am.

UNIFORM SHOPThe uniform shop will be open

each Monday 8:30am - 9:30am

and Wednesday 3:00pm-4:00pm

You can also view the order form

on the College website at

www.cornerstone.wa.edu.au, or

complete an order form out of

your family information pack and

return it to school with your child.

YOUTH GROUPSCORE Youth - Years 7 to 9Friday night 7-9pm at Cornerstone0418 833 994 Julian/Karlien

Xtol Youth Group - Year 10 +Friday nights 7-9pm$4 entryBusso Bretho campsite0417 937 238 Margie0418 216 087 Graeme

Study Tips from Miss Needham’s Desk

Homework in secondary school serves many purposes. It could be to consolidate or check or extend the learning from the day or prepare for the learning to come in subsequent days. It could be to do with longer term work such as assignments or preparing for tests and examinations. Ultimately it comes back to what school is all about – learning. Learning not just content, but learning and developing skills. In secondary school homework has been proven to be an essential component of academic success in the senior years. The reality of Year 11 and 12 is that a large component of independent learning needs to be undertaken at home. One of the biggest problems for students transitioning to the senior years is that they have not learnt to work effectively and efficiently in the home environment. This is why developing good habits and learning to do at least a solid hour a day of home study is essential in Years 7-10. It is also about developing the qualities of discipline and perseverance, both essential for senior studies. Students will not like every subject equally, students need to learn how to make themselves do the work even for their least favourite subjects.

So what can you do to manage your homework effectively? Try these top tips:1. As soon as you get home unpack your bag before you have a break and something to eat. Lay out all the work first. It is easier to get started if you have everything ready to go.2. Before you start work, write a list of what needs to be done and decide what order you will do it. Focus on what is most important, not just what

subject you like best! Also write down how long you think each task will take to do.3. Keep in your mind that it is all about learning. Try and look beyond the actual content to what type of skill this homework might be developing in you – analysing, critical thinking, writing skills, or problem solving skills for example.4. Do your work in 20-30 minute blocks with no distractions during that time. So switch off the TV, turn off your phone for that 20-30 minutes. When you just focus on the work that needs to be done you’ll be amazed at how much work you complete. Of course if you are on a roll, you can keep going past the 30 minutes.5. If there is a task you really don’t want to do then alternate this with a task you enjoy doing. For example 15 minutes on the homework you like, 5 minutes on the homework you don’t like. When you chip away at it you will be surprised how quickly you get through the work.Learn more this year about how to improve your results and be more efficient and effective with your schoolwork by working through the units on www.studyskillshandbook.com.au - our school’s access details are: Username: cornerstonePassword: 157results

Pastor’s BreakfastSpecial thanks to Mrs Moorcroft, Mrs Jarman, Mrs Spencer, and Sally Swallow to assisting a wonderful team of students who served around 25 guests at last week’s Pastor’s Breakfast. This event is an annual one on the College calendar and sees the Christian leaders from the region gathering together. Wonderful!

www.cornerstone.wa.edu.au

The Outdoor Education students have been seen utilising our amazing local environment in their studies in recent weeks. The stand-up Paddle Boards are always a popular choice.Please pray for our Red Cross Cadets who will be on tribal camp this week, with the Year 12 OED students responsible for the coordination of this time away. Staff are delighted with the leadership being exhibited by these Senior students. We will provide more details and photos upon their return.

Primary School Student Management SystemThe College believes all students should be treated with respect and seeks to build positive relationships with students and work in partnership with their families.At Cornerstone we believe that every student and teacher has the right to:• Learnandteachfreefromdisruption• Betreatedwithrespect• Asafeandpositiveenvironment,freefromdiscrimination and abuse • HavetheirpropertytreatedwithrespectandcareThe College promotes guiding and supporting student behavior and pays particular attention to rewarding positive behaviour both within classrooms and through whole school acknowledgment of desirable behaviours.At times students may demonstrate challenging or persistently unacceptable behaviour that tests the boundaries. If a student is disruptive they need to realise their behaviour has a negative impact on themselves and others around them. The College will work with the student to ensure they are positively supported whilst reinforcing consistent and appropriate boundaries. The consequences of challenging behaviour will be discussed with the student and consistently followed through. Students will be given opportunities to respond positively before consequences are enforced. The College seeks to work in partnership with families. Open and clear communication between families and the College is vital when supporting students through recurring challenging behaviours. The Leadership will be introducing a modified model of the existing Behaviour Management System.

The new Student Management System is broken down into three categories:1. INSIDE the classroom2. OUTSIDE the classroom 3. INFRINGEMENTS INSIDE Any seen or perceived disruptive behaviour is dealt with in the following way. Without a fuss or necessarily a verbal exchange, the teacher 1) writes the name of the disruptive student on the whiteboard. This is the student’s first warning. Further disruption by the same student will result in (2) a cross being placed next to their name. This is the second warning. Any further disruption from the same student and they are sent (3) sent to the office. All names are taken off the board after recess, lunch and at the end of the day.OUTSIDEThe system for dealing with inappropriate behaviour outside the class operates differently from the inside system. Students can receive a light, moderate or severe outside offence. Some incidents will result in immediate exclusion from the College for behaving in an inappropriate manner outside of class. An outside offence could be issued before school, at recess, lunch, outside College grounds whilst in College uniform or through social media. INFRINGEMENTSInfringements are educational or relate to the image of the College. They are usually but not exclusively given for homework and uniform. We will have more information in the next newsletter and will hold a Parent Information Evening to fully inform you of the changes on Wednesday 7 May.

Board ShortsThe College wishes to take this opportunity to introduce a few of our Board members. This week we turn the spotlight onto Lee Sykes and Andrea Marden:

Lee Sykes: As the Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church, Lee is excited about the partnership in mission between church and college. Lee has a permanent place on the board but enters willingly to bring spiritual perspective and a focus on student discipleship.

Andrea Marden: ‘First and foremost I am mum to Noah in year 6 and Lucy in year 2. We left the UK 2 years ago, and chose to live in Busselton primarily because of Cornerstone Christian College, and have never regretted our decision. I am passionate about keeping the Christian heart and welcoming atmosphere of the college throughout any future growth, whilst providing the best education for my children. My background is a degree in Business Management and two years on the Board of our previous school in England.’