Exploring the concept of SELF in the Senior School

Think about describing yourself to another person without mentioning any other external factors. Not your job, not your role in your family as a mother, father, daughter or son, not your friends, not the sports and activities you are involved in, not where you live or where you were born.

‘The greatest privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.’ – Joseph Campbell

Concentrate only on yourself, how you feel and behave, what your values are, what your strengths and weaknesses are, what makes you angry, happy or sad. Having an awareness of how your values, thoughts and emotions influence behaviour is a powerful tool. The greater the level of self-awareness, the easier it is to adapt to change, set realistic goals and act in ways that support positive wellbeing.

‘Self-awareness (sometimes also referred to as self-knowledge or introspection) is about understanding your own needs, desires, failings, habits, and everything else that makes you the unique individual that you are. The more you know about yourself, the better you are at adapting to life's changes. When we have a better understanding of ourselves, we are able to experience ourselves as unique and separate individuals. This empowers us to make changes and build on our areas of strength, as well as identify areas where we would like to make improvements. Self-awareness is often the first step to setting goals. (Dr Garima Srivastava, The Black Swan Institute)

Throughout Term One, our wellbeing focus will be an exploration of the concept of Self. Wellbeing lessons and Pastoral Care Group activities will focus on encouraging our students to become more consciously aware of their individual values, emotions and behaviour, and explore how self-awareness provides us with tools to support our wellbeing.

As the term progresses, students, staff and the wider Somerset community will be provided with opportunities to engage with a variety of wellbeing initiatives and activities connected to the concept of Self. One of the forums we intend to use to promote awareness of these initiatives to our community is a new fortnightly page in the Somerset Times. The Wellbeing Corner will provide valuable links between all the wonderful things happening on campus involving our students and staff, and opportunities available to our wider Somerset Community.

Our focus for week one was About Me. During Pastoral Care, students and PC Tutors worked together to create birthday posters and engage in a variety of getting to know you activities to welcome our new students and Year 7s to their Pastoral Care Groups.

If you would like to contribute any ideas or be involved in Wellbeing in the Senior School this term, please email seniorwellbeing@somerset.qld.edu.au