Our Wellbeing Programme

Our students’ social and emotional wellbeing is developed through a vibrant programme, with a grounding in the principles of positive psychology.

Wellbeing matters for many reasons: 

• It is fundamental to our overall health and happiness
• There is a strong connection between wellbeing and academic outcomes 
• The development of social and emotional skills is strongly linked to success and a healthy outlook
• It affects students' engagement with their learning, their confidence and independence  
• It is important for students to develop the ability to self-reflect, self regulate and be self-aware

Research overwhelmingly shows a strong link between wellbeing and the development of a student's personal capabilities and their academic success. As such, our wellbeing programme proactively seeks to equip students with the resources to navigate complex situations. 

The Wellbeing framework at Somerset is designed to be a whole-school approach. Students from Pre-Prep through to Year 12 are involved in experiential learning engagements that enable them to identify attributes of successful learners, creating solutions founded on creativity and critique. The approach is to teach the skills that support learning while promoting health and wellbeing. Each term, there is a central wellbeing focus, integrating the core tenets of Positive Education. In the Junior School, the Primary Years Programme in Pre-Prep – Year 5  and Middle Years Programme in Year 6 are accented by the IB Learner Profile, complimented by specific wellbeing lessons delivered by the classroom teacher using key programmes such as You Can Do It and Bounce Back. In the Senior School, the vertical pastoral care system affords the opportunity for rich discussion, enduring relationships with students and the Tutor as well as activities that align with the wellbeing curriculum, as well as specific wellbeing lessons within year levels.   

Somerset promotes student wellbeing by furthering opportunities for student and staff development beyond the classroom. The Spartan Sports Precinct is central to the delivery of group fitness classes, personal training sessions, gymnastics classes and meditation. The onsite physiotherapist and exercise physiologist augment the support offered to our community in this space. The College's Clinical Psychologist and Sports’ Psychologistsare available to nurture the educational and socio-emotional wellbeing of students across the College.  

A student Wellbeing Committee, chaired by the College Captains and Vice Captains, regularly meets to raise awareness of issues pertaining to mental health and wellbeing. Working alongside key staff, they advocate for the community to ensure a strong student voice remains at the forefront of our work in this area.