Cornerstone Programme
The Cornerstone Programme supports students' emotional wellbeing and resilience through targeted workshops, partner collaborations, and engaging after-school activities.
Overview
Introduction
Cornerstone is YHSS’ whole-school approach to care-connect-contribute towards our suite of UPLIFT initiatives.
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the word ‘cornerstone’ refers to something of great importance that everything else depends on.
Our mission is to build Yuhuans of Character and Purpose Who Care, Connect and Contribute. We aim to build all students up to the peak based on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. To this end, Cornerstone is our effort to uplift every Yuhuan – building esteem and motivation by first ensuring their foundational needs are well addressed.
We enable Yuhuans to conquer the peak, by first laying a strong foundation.
Cornerstone provides a progressive and integrated programme to foster a sense of belonging, school readiness and build students’ motivation based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
The YEAHub Room
The YEAHub room is a dedicated safe space to enable both structured programmes and informal relationship-building opportunities, operating during and after school hours. It is resourced with personnel and equipment that invites students to drop in during their free time to utilise the wide variety of board and card games; the badminton equipment; or just a space to hang out with friends.
The Cornerstone Team
The Cornerstone team has three dedicated Pastoral Care Officers, who are stationed daily in the YEAHub. They are adults who reach out to the students by lending a listening ear to their various challenges and engage the students in developing their socio-emotional competencies. The Pastoral Care Officers are supported by HOD/Student Well-being, SH/Cornerstone, Year Heads, and teachers in planning and organising engaging and enriching programmes for the students.
Cornerstone Programme
YEAHub Activities
YEAHub activities provide meaningful engagement opportunities for students beyond regular school hours, taking place every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. These programmes are designed with student interests at heart, with many activities being student-initiated, to reflect our diverse community's passions and preferences.
Our weekly schedule includes Sporty Badminton on Mondays and Footballing Fun on Wednesdays, giving students regular opportunities to stay active and build friendships through sport. Thursdays offer a diverse range of activities, featuring both the Chess Interest Club for strategic thinking enthusiasts and rotating modular workshops such as pottery, tote bag painting, and hands-on baking experiences. This varied Thursday programme allows students to explore both intellectual challenges and creative pursuits whilst developing new skills and discovering hidden talents.
Each semester concludes with educational Learning Journeys that incorporate Education and Career Guidance elements. Students gain valuable behind-the-scenes insights through visits to venues such as Bird Paradise and the Oceanarium, connecting classroom learning with real-world experiences.
A highlight of our programme is the annual 'Be Better' Football Tournament, where our students participate in friendly matches alongside students from other schools. This event fosters inter-school connections whilst promoting sportsmanship and teamwork.
Through these varied activities, we aim to nurture positive growth mindsets in our students whilst strengthening both peer relationships and teacher-student bonds, creating a supportive community that extends beyond the classroom.
Developing Students' Socio-Emotional Competencies and Mental Resilience
Our Cornerstone Programme includes targeted workshops and groupwork sessions designed to support students who would benefit from additional guidance in developing their socio-emotional competencies and mental resilience.
We collaborate with established partners including Boys’ Town YouthReach and National Institute of Education to deliver these specialised programmes. By drawing on the expertise of these organisations, we ensure our students receive high-quality, evidence-based support tailored to their individual needs.
These initiatives form an integral part of our holistic approach to student development, recognising that emotional wellbeing and resilience are fundamental to academic success and personal growth.
