
In Focus @ GWA
A news bulletin for the families of George Walton Academy

July 13, 2023
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Email: info@gwa.com
Website: www.gwa.com
Phone: (678) 635-3800
Key Deadlines & Dates
- Summer Camps: run through July 27
- V Softball vs. Piedmont (home): Aug. 3, 4:45 p.m.
- Senior Parking Spot Party: Aug. 4, 6:30 p.m.
- New Student Orientation: Aug. 6
- Open House: Aug. 7 (see below)
- Senior BBQ: Aug. 8, 4 p.m.
- First Day of School: Aug. 9
- Middle School Mega Relay: Aug. 9
- JV/V Volleyball vs. ACS & Winder/Barrow (home): Aug. 10, 5 p.m.
- Senior Retreat: Aug. 14 - 16
- Ice Cream Social: Aug. 17, 6 p.m.
- V Football vs. LOA (home): Aug. 18, 7:30 p.m.
Dear GWA Family,
How should I start my first message to this community?
With prayerful gratitude … on behalf of our faculty and staff, we thank you for having faith in us to educate your child. And on a lighter note - GO BULLDOGS!
As many of you have told me, our teachers and coaches have long been called to love, to nurture and to challenge every child. We embrace that college-preparatory academics, extracurricular excellence, and citizenship are not mutually exclusive. GWA develops the whole child, preparing each for college and a life of purpose and service.
Our mission statement is short and powerful:
GWA provides challenging instruction, engaging experiences, and global perspectives designed to inspire lives of intellectual curiosity, integrity, and purpose.
I look forward to seeing how this mission is realized each day in the life of our school. This school year the faculty and I will spend time ensuring that everything we do is aligned with our mission.
The Chocolate Challenge – I always keep a stash of chocolate in my office. My offer to your children is a free piece when they memorize and recite to me – in my office - the mission statement. I am confident many are up to this challenge!
I’m also grateful for Gary Hobbs. He has been a steady shepherd for the past two years and a source of wisdom for me, as I get up to speed to learn the practices, culture, and traditions of a great school in a wonderful small town. As I expressed to the faculty, we will build upon the shoulders of strong leaders who have come before us – both educators and volunteers – to move forward. Together.
I am excited about this year. GWA has momentum: new academic leadership, new buildings, many new students, and a renewed enthusiasm for the great potential within our grasp.
I look forward to seeing you on campus.
Godspeed,
John D. Marshall
Head of School
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Mark Your Calendar!
We are excited to welcome everyone back to campus on Monday, August 7 for our back-to-school Open House. Here are some details:
- Choose a session (listed above), no sign-up required
- This is a drop-in event
- Meet teachers and find your classrooms
- Lower School - pick up carpool tag/windshield stickers in the classroom and school calendar and contacts magnet in the cafeteria.
- Middle/Upper School - pick up car windshield stickers and school calendar and contacts magnet in the Commons
- Schedules for middle and upper school will be available on RenWeb in the afternoon on Friday, August 4
- Lower school class lists will be posted in the hallway at Open House
Please click the links below for summer work/reading and school supply lists by grade. This information may also be found on gwa.com on the lower, middle and upper school pages as well as in ParentsWeb under Resource Documents.
Lower School Summer Work & Supply Lists (see right side of webpage)
Don't miss the final opportunity to join this educational adventure. Two spots are still open. Please contact Mrs. Suzy if you are interested at squinlan@gwa.com.
Our fall sports (all levels) photo day is Friday, July 28. The times are listed in the schedule linked below. Makeup pictures and band pictures will be taken on Monday, July 31. These times are also listed in the schedule below.
Our new photographer for the 2023-24 school year is Watermark Photography of Oconee County. All of the sports photos will be taken in the Commons (in the high school building) on a white background. The team photos will be created from these photos and put together as a composite.
Click HERE to view our fall sports picture day schedule.
Information is subject to change.
Ready to Ride?
The GWA equestrian team is now taking new members. The team is open to boys and girls in grades 4 -12 and there is no need to own your own horse! If your student is interested in joining the team, please contact Tara Geoffroy at Tara.geoffroy@gmail.com.
Sign Up Today!
We have two more weeks of summer camps and there is still time to sign up for the following camps:
- Christmas in July
- Minecraft Camp
- Stay and Play
- Cheer Camp
- LEGO Camp
Click HERE to register.
Work in Progress
Our much needed new spaces on campus are nearing completion and we are thrilled to have an additional athletic facility, the Red & Black concession area and our large new lower school music classroom (dubbed "The Music Box") available for students this fall.
Today's In Focus is proudly sponsored by ProComm Telecommunications, Inc. (www.ptinc.org).