Social & Emotional Learning

Parents and Carers attend RULER Workshop

On Tuesday 24 March, we welcomed parents to our RULER workshop, an opportunity to deepen understanding of the RULER approach and strengthen the important partnership between school and home.

Developed by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and led by Marc Brackett, RULER is an evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning. The acronym stands for Recognising, Understanding, Labelling, Expressing, and Regulating emotions, skills that are critical for children’s wellbeing, relationships, and learning.

Research shows that when schools embed RULER, students experience improved emotional regulation, stronger relationships, enhanced academic outcomes, and a greater sense of belonging. Importantly, these benefits extend beyond the classroom when families are engaged in the same shared language and strategies.

At Girton's Junior School, RULER is not an “add-on”, it is woven into the fabric of daily school life. From the use of the Mood Meter to support emotional awareness, to classroom Charters that build positive learning environments, students are consistently developing the skills to navigate their emotions with confidence and empathy.

During the workshop, parents explored practical ways to bring RULER language into the home, including:

• Supporting children to accurately label emotions
• Responding to emotions with curiosity rather than correction

• Using simple strategies to help children regulate in challenging moments

   

The session also reinforced the power of modelling. When adults use RULER strategies themselves, children learn that emotions are normal, manageable, and an important part of being human.

We thank all families who attended and contributed to such a meaningful conversation. By working together, we continue to create a consistent and supportive emotional environment for our children—both at school and at home.

If you were unable to attend and would like further information about RULER at Girton, please reach out to the Junior School team; ruler@girton.vic.edu.au or pruemilner@girton.vic.edu.au, georgianarice@girton.vic.edu.au or vanessajuergens@girton.vic.edu.au

Next term there will be a RULER FAMILY NIGHT, where your whole family is invited to learn more about the RULER approach.

Together, we are equipping our students not just to learn, but to thrive.