Breaksea House News
The Four Agreements: A Guide for Teenage People Living in a Boarding Community
In this Boarding Buzz article, I want to share something we'll be discussing in our boarding meeting this week, something I’ve personally found helpful in my life. Boarding can be a challenging experience, but I truly believe that if we all adopt a similar mindset, we can create a more harmonious and welcoming environment for everyone.
Don Miguel Ruiz’s, The Four Agreements, offers four simple yet powerful principles that can help us navigate life in the boarding community with confidence, kindness, and resilience.
1. Be Impeccable with Your Word
Your words have power. In a boarding house, what you say can either build up the community or create division. Being impeccable with your word means speaking honestly and kindly—about yourself and others.
These principles can guide us in fostering a supportive and uplifting atmosphere in our community. Avoid gossip, negative self-talk, and unnecessary drama. Instead, use your words to encourage, uplift, and strengthen the bonds within our house.
2. Don’t Take Anything Personally
Living in a close-knit community means you’ll inevitably encounter misunderstandings, conflicts, or offhand comments that might hurt your feelings. But one of the most freeing lessons in life is realising that people’s actions and words are often more about them than about you. If someone is rude or distant, it may have nothing to do with you. By not taking things personally, you protect your peace and avoid unnecessary emotional stress.
3. Don’t Make Assumptions
Assumptions lead to unnecessary drama and misunderstandings. If your friend seems quiet, don’t assume she’s mad at you, ask her if she’s okay. If someone says something that bothers you, don’t assume they meant it in a hurtful way, seek clarification. Clear, open communication prevents conflict and strengthens relationships, making our boarding experience much smoother.
4. Always Do Your Best
Some days will be easier than others. You might feel tired, stressed, or homesick. But if you always do your best, whatever that looks like on a given day, you can be proud of yourself. This agreement isn’t about perfection; it’s about effort. Whether it’s in friendships, academics, or contributing to our boarding house, doing your best ensures personal growth and a positive experience.
By embracing these four agreements, we can build stronger friendships, navigate challenges with resilience, and create a boarding community where everyone feels supported and valued.
On another note, our Year Tens had a wonderful time on camp, showing great perseverance when challenges arose. It’s also been lovely to see plenty of friendly competitions happening at the air hockey table! Soon, we’ll be adding a portable netball ring, giving the girls a chance to practice their shots throughout the netball season.
We celebrated Amy Medway’s 17th and Anne Fitz Gibbon's 15th birthdays on Friday night with a Sundae Station. It was nice to have everyone come together to end the week after the Year Tens were away from Monday to Friday.
As always, thanks for your ongoing support, and reach out if you have any questions.
Ms Liz Stewart | Head of Breaksea House