PYRAMID OF SUCCESS 

“Success is peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you’re capable.”  John Wooden

John Wooden was the Basketball Head Coach at the University of California. He won 10 NCAA National Championships in a 12 year period, including an amazing seven in a row. In this period, his team won a record 88 consecutive games. Not a bad run at all.

Wooden was recognised for his achievements on numerous occasions. He was named the NCAA College Basketball Coach of the Year a massive seven times, as well as sharing Sports Illustrated “Sportsman of the Year” in 1972 with Billie Jean King. His success also enabled him to be enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1960 (first person ever recognised as both player and coach). 

What does the phenomenal achievement and success of Coach Wooden have to do with the Great Pyramid of Giza?

Well, Wooden studied the Pyramids when he was a student and knew that these structures were built on a strong foundation with huge cornerstones that were the most important part of the structure. Then it rose to a point, an apex, which gave it its shape. This idea is something that he wanted to apply to his coaching of basketball but could also be applied to how we can approach life and its challenges, something to aspire to.

This idea fitted well with something his Sigh School coach had shown him, the “Ladder of Achievement”, so using this idea, Wooden was able to adapt this to create his own coaching and life philosophy.

Wooden begun designing his pyramid of ideas and spent several years developing it. It is now a famous design called the “Pyramid of Success” that many coaches and leaders around the world incorporate into their teaching structure. It is not just used for obtaining success on the sport field, but also throughout life and the many challenges that we face. 

Here are Wooden’s thoughts on designing the Pyramid of Success: 

“Any structure must be built on a solid foundation and the Cornerstones of the Foundation are the most significant part of it. You will note that the cornerstones of this structure are Industriousness and Enthusiasm.

The heart of the body is extremely important, and since architects have been known to stress the heart of buildings that they have created, I selected three outstanding essentials: Condition, Skill and Team Spirit to comprise the Heart of the Structure.

Although a greater amount of space could be devoted to any individual heading in the pyramid, I believe that the very brief comments under each should suffice and encourage the person to give the particular point additional thought.

Before discontinuing the explanation, I should like to call attention to the top of the structure. The apex is Success and it must be remembered that it is success according to my definition. Furthermore, success is not easy to attain and the connecting points, Faith and Patience to the apex are meant to indicate this.

Also, the connecting blocks, Poise and Confidence, upon which Competitive Greatness rest, are vitally interwoven in the process of reaching the apex. Confidence and poise both come from being prepared and are vital requisites for being a good competitor. Those who lack confidence in themselves are certain to be lacking in poise and will be pressing when the going gets tough. The front runners are easy to find, but all coaches are constantly searching for those individuals who excel when excellent performance is necessary.”

GPCC HOUSE CUP (PRIMARY AND SECONDARY)

This term will see the beginning of a new competition at our school for both Primary and Secondary students - The Intra School House Cup.

Students will compete in House teams in a range of sports at recess (Primary) or lunchtime (Secondary).    

The competition will be in Stage groups and days allocated are listed below:

Tuesday Recess: Stage 2

Wednesday Recess: Stage 3

Thursday Lunchtime: Stage 4

Friday Lunchtime: Stage 5

Sports played for all ages will be:

Week 5: 4v4 Half Court Basketball

Week 6: Touch Football

Week 7: Soccer

Week 8: 4v4 Half Court Basketball

Week 9: Netball

Students will only be allowed to sign up for two sports only during Week 4.

PRIMARY HOUSE COMPETITION

Our Term 3 House Competition is scheduled to begin in Week 3, with our Primary students looking forward to competing in a range of sports.

Students will be playing in their Houses in a number of round matches before Semis and Finals. The sports played will be:

Year 3 and 4 Girls: Newcomball

Year 3 and 4 Boys: Soccer

Year 5 and 6 Girls: Basketball

Year 5 and 6 Boys: Touch Football 

INTERSCHOOL COMPETITION

Our friendly competition with the Coast Christian School will begin in the coming weeks, with a Primary class heading over each Friday to compete in a variety of sports. These fun afternoons will have our students in mixed teams with the Coast Christian School students. It will be a great time for our students to interact with those from the Coast in a sporting environment.