Westminster is privileged to host the GISA Region 4-AAA Basketball Tournament February 7, 9, 10 and 11. With seven schools in the region, this promises to be four days packed with exciting basketball! Seeding will be finalized after regular season play has been completed.
Schedule
Tuesday, February 7
5:30 p.m. | Game One – GIRLS 4 vs. 5
7:00 p.m. | Game Two – GIRLS 3 vs. 6
Thursday, February 9
5:30 p.m. | Game Three – BOYS 4 vs. 5
7:00 p.m. | Game Four – BOYS 3 vs. 6
8:30 p.m. | Game Five – BOYS 2 vs. 7
Friday, February 10
4:00 p.m. | Game Six – GIRLS 2 vs. Game 2 Winner
5:30 p.m. | Game Seven – BOYS Winners Games 4 & 5
7:00 p.m. | Game Eight – GIRLS 1 vs. Game 1 Winner
8:30 p.m. | Game Nine – BOYS 1 vs. Game 3 Winner
Saturday, February 11
4:00 p.m. | Game Ten – GIRLS Third Place Game
5:30 p.m. | Game Eleven – BOYS Third Place Game
7:00 p.m. | Game Twelve – GIRLS Championship
8:30 p.m. | Game Thirteen – BOYS Championship
*HOME TEAM IS HIGHER SEED
Daily admission is $7 per adult and $4 per student. (Because this is post-season GISA play, WSA Booster Club members and WSA students must still pay admission. Only children 5-and-under will be admitted for free.) Our concession stand will be fully operational, with grilled hot dogs, hamburgers and cheeseburgers available on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. In addition, Chick-fil-A sandwiches will be sold on Friday and we will be selling a limited number of adult-sized, Region Tournament t-shirts for $15 each. We look forward to seeing you there!
The pancake flip on Friday, Jan. 27 provided lots of fun, entertainment, prizes and good eating!
Celebrity Flippers on hand included Sue Ames, Andrew Bryan, Mike Freace, Craig Johnson, Mike Freace and Keith Romer. Celebrity Dining Room Helpers were Elizbeth Meeks, Debbie Nye, Kathy Buurma, Julie Wiggins and Dwight Redick. Thank you Booster Club for all of the hard work that went into the planning and operation of this event.
Winners for the contests are as follows:
LOWER SCHOOL COLORING CONTEST Most Authentic: Emily Farr from Mrs. Buchanan’s first grade class with “Emily’s Pancake” Most Appetizing: Alexis Birmingham from Mrs. Nye’s second grade class with “My Happy Pancake” Funniest: Abigail Griner from Mr. Greiner’s fourth grade class with “The Fight for Breakfast”
Each student artist won a $10 Cat Cash Card!
FLIPPING CONTESTS Third grade won the Lower School half-time Pancake Flipping Contest by catching 13 pancakes. Second place went to fifth grade for catching nine pancakes. Seventh grade won the Middle School half-time Pancake Flipping Contest.
HOUSE PANCAKE EATING CONTEST
David Newton, assisted by Lela Knox won the house pancake eating contest, for the Lewis House, by devouring 11 pancakes in 3 minutes! The Lewis House received 20 points.
2nd Place (tie) | 10 points to the Zwingli House and 10 points to the Bonhoeffer House
3rd Place | 5 points to the Elliot House
The year 2012 ushers in a significant anniversary for Westminster Schools of Augusta. Forty years ago, Westminster was founded in order to offer students a high-quality education grounded in a Biblically-based Christian worldview. During the past forty years, the Lord has established the work of Westminster and has exceedingly blessed the school.
It is, therefore, right and good to give praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. Isaiah 12:4 tells us, “In that day you will say, ‘Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done, and proclaim that His name is exalted.’”
On February 3, Westminster will initiate ‘40 Days of Thanksgiving’ that will end forty days later with the school-wide ‘Days of Prayer’ from March 14 to 16.
The faculty and staff of Westminster have created a list of forty items of thanksgiving. Please join with them in utilizing this list to daily offer a thanksgiving to the Lord for His work within and His blessing upon Westminster. You can download and print the below list by clicking here.
40 Days of Thanksgiving
“Thanksgiving for the past makes us trustful in the present and hopeful for the future. What He has done is the pledge of what He will do.” — A.C.A. Hall
Please join us as we thank God for:
Feb. 3 | Keeping Himself and His Word at the center of what defines Westminster
I am thankful that God is at the center of all we think and do and that our policy making is always centered on grace.
Feb. 4 | His people at work at Westminster
I’m thankful for the faculty—they are so supportive and I enjoy going to work because I get to spend time with them.
I am thankful to work with such a dedicated and professional staff.
I am thankful for all the teachers here that invested in my life. My years at Westminster were wonderful and I have been richly blessed. I am thankful for each teacher that took the extra moment to guide, encourage and pray with me. Westminster gave me so much and I am so thankful that God has given me a chance to give back to this school and to serve Him here each day.
Feb. 5 | The standard of excellence and honoring God in all things
I am so very thankful that God put me in a place where I can be surrounded by people who do their best each day to honor God and teach His ways. I have been humbled by the experience. I am in awe of the amazing things that God has shown me through my fellow believers at WSA.
Feb. 6 | A school that educates the whole child
I am thankful that we recognize the importance of educating the whole child — not only the intellect but the mind, the body and the soul.
Feb. 7 | The students and families that God sends us
I am thankful for the wonderful children and families that God has sent us.
Feb. 8 | Westminster’s Core Values that are in line with biblical principles
I am thankful that Westminster encourages excellence in the context of doing everything for and through the Lord Jesus.
Feb. 9 | The family atmosphere of support and encouragement
I am thankful for my colleagues and their support and encouragement.
Feb. 10 | A school that values variety, creativity and diversity
I am thankful for the great variety of students we have at Westminster. In one class, I have students from five different countries of origin! That is amazing and exciting!
Feb. 11 | A school that values excellent academics and biblical teaching
I am particularly thankful to be teaching here. Very few schools match my “best fit” program AND are willing to hire someone with my experience. I looked for three years prior to finding Westminster and God has truly blessed my time here. The combination of high academic expectations and strong Christian witness fit me extremely well.
I am thankful for the combination of academic rigor and Christian excellence.
Feb. 12 | Westminster’s impact on the lives of students for generations
I am so very thankful that I am able to be part of a ministry that not only educates, but more importantly, guides children into a deeper walk with Christ as well.
Feb. 13 | Students who want to be challenged and grow in every area of life
Feb. 14 | The kindness demonstrated at our school
I am especially thankful for our Westminster Lower School students. They go out of their way to show kindness to one another and to their teachers.
Feb. 15 | A school that values and supports fine arts and athletics
What a blessing it is to have the talent of our teachers and coaches in fine arts and academics! They give so much back to our students.
Feb. 16 | Our history and our future
I’m thankful that we’re still here! And we are still striving to offer the CSRA an excellent, Christ-centered college-preparatory education.
Feb. 17 | Our admissions policy and that the school is a ministry to all those in the community
I’m thankful that we have an open door admissions policy and accept both Christian and non-Christian students.
Feb. 18 | The school leadership – past and present
I’m thankful that we have a Board of Trustees that understands Christian education and sacrificially serves year after year and gives generously to the school.
I’m thankful for the servant leadership and connections personally to whom they serve.
Feb. 19 | The weekly chapels and chapel speakers
I’m thankful that Westminster brings in speakers to challenge our students. It is a place where Bible verses are openly recited and the Word of God is spoken and shared.
Feb. 20 | A loving, Christian atmosphere
I am thankful for the loving and Christian atmosphere that I work in. It is a blessing to know that I work with people who are daily encouraging me and others as we try to make a lasting impact for Christ.
Feb. 21 | Westminster is a great place to work
I am thankful that I can say I truly get excited about coming to work at Westminster each and every day! Not only do I get to do what I LOVE to do, but I am surrounded by people (faculty and parents) who love and support me. What an incredible gift from the Lord!
As I am in my sixth year teaching, I am still so blessed and thankful that the Lord gave me my dream job. Having my child attend Westminster is an added bonus to all the blessing that He has given me.
Feb. 22 | Westminster being the kind of place we can entrust our children
I am so thankful for the wonderful education that Westminster has given my sons. We are also blessed to be teachers and parents in a school that has allowed us to watch our sons grow into Godly young men.
I’m thankful that my daughter is in a Godly, safe, secure and friendly environment. It is radically different from our previous educational experiences. Every day she says she has had a great day and looks forward to the next—even with all the homework and tests included in education!
Feb. 23 | The fact that leadership is taught and fostered at every level
Feb. 24 | The prayer warriors through the decades who have battled for our school.
I am thankful for the foundation of prayer in the school. Everyone is involved — from the administration, Board of Trustees, faculty and staff praying through the prayer booklet which details every individual and our mission and goals in prayer, to the Moms In Prayer group who meets weekly to cover the school in prayer and welcome any prayer requests. There are also prayer groups that break out spontaneously for fellow students when there is a need. What a blessing to witness and be blessed by such dedication to prayer.
Feb. 25 | The importance of God’s Word being upheld
I am so thankful that there is a place where children can come and see the world through the truth of God’s Word. Christ is the strength of this school and we are equipping these students to be citizens of light in a dark world.
Feb. 26 | The generosity of those who gave to the school to make her what she is today
People have given so much and continue to give so much to this school.
Feb. 27 | The support and direction of the Westminster Board of Trustees.
Feb. 28 | The Word of God permeating all aspects of the school – academics, arts and athletics.
The children have the freedom and are encouraged to talk about God or spiritual matters in every class and every situation.
Feb. 29 | The founders who took a risk nearly 40 years ago and those who are planning for our future now.
I’m thankful that God gave men and women in the 1970s the courage to step out and begin the school that has grown in to all it is today. He built this school and He is the one who sustains it.
March 1 | That Westminster is impacting generations to live extraordinary lives for Jesus Christ
I am thankful for the opportunity to touch the lives of the students at Westminster and help prepare them for their future!
March 2 | The traditions – new and old—at Westminster
March 3 | Freedom to invest in the Spiritual lives of students
I’m thankful for the prayer support and the freedom to share Godly principles when led by the Holy Spirit.
March 4 | The community at Westminster
I am thankful for the godly influence our teachers have on my children.
March 5 | That the school continues to grow and thrive even in difficult economic circumstances
March 6 | The often unseen and talented parent volunteers
I am amazed by the ways parents give time and talents to make the school even better.
March 7 | Faculty and staff who love the Lord, each other, their students and others in the Westminster community.
March 8 | The vision of the Leadership Team
March 9 | Our beautiful campus
I’m thankful for the ways God has allowed the school to acquire property at just the right time, every time.
March 10 | The way people here really love what they do
March 11 | The growing number of alumni who have gone out to impact the world in areas of academia, medicine, missions and more
I’m thankful that we have more than 700 alumni who are impacting the world. I love that so many of them come “home” to tell us of what they are doing.
March 12 | The emphasis on service at Westminster, which reminds students that we are part of something larger.
I love that our students do service projects throughout their time here.
March 13 | That we have been here long enough to impact not one generation but several generations.
I’m thankful that we have many second generation students.
Westminster parents and alumni should have recently received an email from Headmaster O’Neil with a link to the Westminster survey. Thank you so much to those who have already completed it.
For those who have not yet had a chance to complete one, please make this a priority as we seek your input and feedback. It will help us improve the education we offer not only those children who currently attend, but future students as well.
After one week, we have a 21% participation rate and the survey will remain open until the end of the day on Wednesday, Feb. 8.
Following a month-long novel study of “Johnny Tremain,” the fifth graders spent an afternoon experiencing Revolutionary War era activities, many of which were highlighted in the book.
Invention Convention Slideshow Preview
Our fourth grade students are hard at work creating their inventions for their upcoming Invention Convention.
Watson-Brown
The fourth grade trip to Watson Brown Historical Site in Thomson allowed students to experience what the world was like, from a child’s eye, during the Civil War.
Teachers are Lifelong Learners
Kindergarten Teachers just returned from an observation of a North Carolina school. The first and second grade teachers, along with one third grade teacher, attended a two-day technology conference in Atlanta, which was specifically geared toward educators.
Teachers Jump Too!
Students, dressed in red, pink and white, jumped during P.E. this week to raise awareness of heart disease. Students were grouped and challenged to choreograph different jumping routines that utilized the styles of jumping that were taught. Some of the teachers jumped in for some fun, too (photo left)! Mrs. Tebbs played lots of loud music and encouraged the students as she commentated the event over the microphone.
Note: Jump Rope for Heart Envelopes are due back on Feb. 15.
More Playground Fun
Miss Buurma took some wonderful photos of her class enjoying the new playground equipment.
We received a check from Publix Partners for $539.24! This is made possible by parents and WSA supports using their Publix Partners keychain at the checkout. (Keychain cards are available in the Lower School lobby and the Middle & Upper School office.)
Publix Partners | Use the keychain card to swipe with each grocery purchase. ½% of your purchase is donated to Westminster by Publix. (Cards from previous years are still valid.)
For more information on other Free Money opportunities, click here.
If you are interested in receiving emails about events for youth (grades 6-12) at First Presbyterian Church, please email Whitney Fee. Tell her your child is a student at Westminster and that you would like to be added to the distribution list to receive emails about dates, times and any changes to events.
Kelly McGahee, one of five Westminster students on the Watson-Brown Junior Board was interviewed in an article in the Jan. 26 edition of the Richmond County Neighbors section in The Augusta Chronicle.
Note: The other four students from our school involved with the board are Rebecca McGahee, Ann Elizabeth Gore, Leila Knox and Taylor Robertson.
On Jan. 6, some of our Athletics Alumni returned to campus to challenge our Faculty and Staff to a short basketball game during the halftime of the Boys Varsity game vs. John Milledge.
The school’s employees put up a good fight, but our talented former students walked away with a victory.
J. Pierrepont Finch • Will Nabholz
Rosemary Pilkington • Kelly McGahee
Bud Frump • Paul Smith
J.B. Biggely • Jason Bailey
Hedy Larue • Elizabeth Gay
Smitty • Mary Elizabeth Goodell
Miss Jones • Aryle Pastore
Bert Bratt • Chris Lamberts
Mr. Milton Gatch • Brenton Durkee
Mr. Twimble • Jarred Hanner
Wally Womper • Chris Morgan
Miss Krumholtz • Grace Goodell
Mr. Ovington • Nathan Bailey
Jenkins/Johnson • Lawson Powers
Tackaberry • Ivan Day
Matthews/Toynbee • Ben Morgan
Peterson/Policeman • Johnathan Gore
Scrub Woman 1/First Girl/Wickette Girl 1 • Casey Williams
Scrub Woman 2/Second Girl/Wickette Girl 2 • Kaleigh Anderson
Secretaries:
Ellie Lynch, Emily Rogers, Fallon Flatow, Summer Barfield, Brooke Lackey, Lillie Gore, Lauren Broadway, Kaleigh Anderson and Casey Williams
…and featuring Scott Doss as “The Book Voice.”
Crew
Sam Johnson
Mary Claire Malarkey
Madison Malarkey
Josh Erickson
Kevin Nadeau
Erin Nye
Jose Rosaldo
Will Newton
Kat Peterson Head Lighting Tech: Amber Davis
Westminster is privileged to host the GISA Region 4-AAA Basketball Tournament February 7, 9, 10 and 11. With seven schools in the region, this promises to be four days packed with exciting basketball! Seeding will be finalized after regular season play has been completed.
