From the Principal
As the term unfolds, the spirit of our Year of Noticing is coming to life in meaningful ways.
Staff are tuning into the small moments that show how students are travelling, and students themselves are noticing the support and connection around them. Most importantly, I have noticed through countless conversations, emails and warm greetings at the gate, the genuine partnership we are continuing to build with our families.
This was especially evident during our first Senior School Parent–House Mentor Meetings in February, where many of you took the time to discuss how your children have settled in. Your feedback has been heartening, with parents and carers sharing how reassuring it feels to know their child has a dedicated adult who checks in with them every day.
As we move toward the middle of the term, this partnership becomes even more important. This is often the stage where the initial excitement settles and the pace begins to feel more demanding. Students can feel tired, routines can start to slip, and the little things such as sleep, organisation and morning habits, matter more than ever. It’s a natural part of the rhythm of learning, and it is exactly why noticing how our young people are showing up makes such a difference.
This spirit of noticing has also been alive in our Junior School, especially at the recent Junior School Swimming Carnival. The day was full of colour and friendly chaos, but what stood out most to our staff was the way students showed up for one another. They noticed when a friend was nervous, they celebrated every brave effort and they wrapped their arms (and voices!) around anyone who needed a lift after a tough race. These small gestures speak volumes about the caring, connected young people in our midst.
And of course, everyone noticed when Millward claimed the overall win for the first time in history, much to the delight of a very excited sea of purple! Well done also to Riley for winning the 2026 Spirit Cup!
In this Year of Noticing, it feels particularly fitting to share some wonderful news: Girton Grammar has been recognised by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence as a 2025-2026 RULER Spotlight School. This recognition is given to schools demonstrating exemplary implementation of the RULER approach and a sustained commitment to emotional intelligence. Having worked with RULER since 2011, this affirms more than a decade of noticing and nurturing the emotional lives of our students and staff, and the collective efforts of our entire community. All Junior School parents and carers are invited to attend our upcoming Parent Information Session on 24 March outlining the RULER approach at Girton Grammar – please register your attendance here.
In Senior School, Girton’s commitment to emotional development continues through Flourish, which has been tailored specifically to adolescent growth. Neuroscience reminds us that adolescence is a period of extraordinary brain development, particularly in areas related to identity, emotional regulation and decision making. Flourish responds directly to these changes with age-appropriate lessons that evolve each year, helping students recognise their emotions and use them constructively.
House Mentors also continue to work closely with students on some of the practical habits that help create a calm, respectful and focused learning environment. One of these is uniform. Wearing the correct uniform may seem like a small detail, but it plays an important role in creating a sense of fairness and belonging, and in setting our students up for a positive start to their day. House Mentors will continue to monitor uniform each day and follow up on any infringements, and your support in ensuring students leave home dressed correctly in line with our Student Uniform and Presentation Policy makes an enormous difference.
Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. Schools and families raise young people best when they notice the same things, pull in the same direction and celebrate the same small wins. I look forward to noticing many more moments of kindness, courage and growth throughout the year.
Dr Emma O'Rielly
Principal