10 September 2024
Girton Grammar is delighted to announce its selection as a 2025 RULER Spotlight School by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, making it the first school in the southern hemisphere to receive the honour. 听听
The accolade recognises Girton鈥檚 commitment to fostering a supportive and emotionally intelligent learning environment through its implementation of the RULER approach within its Junior School.听听听
Developed by Yale University in the US, RULER is an evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning that helps school communities understand the value of emotions, build skills to manage emotions effectively, and create an environment where student and educator wellbeing are a priority.听听听
Principal Dr Emma O鈥橰ielly expressed pride in the achievement, and the recognition of the school鈥檚 leadership in social and emotional learning within the region.听听
鈥淎t Girton, we believe that student wellbeing and success are closely connected 鈥 to achieve their best, students must first feel their best,鈥 she said.听
鈥淭he RULER approach focuses on building empathy and positive relationships, which really resonated with us as a school, leading us to adopt the program in 2011. Since that time, we have been delighted to witness its beneficial impact on our students from their earliest days at Girton.鈥听
鈥淭his recognition as a Spotlight School highlights our teachers鈥 dedication to equipping students with the invaluable skill of emotional intelligence, and I look forward to seeing how RULER continues to shape our school in the years to come.鈥听
Head of Junior School, Mr Don Thompson, echoed these sentiments, and emphasised the opportunities presented by Girton鈥檚 position as a RULER Spotlight School.听
鈥淎s a Spotlight School, we will be called upon to support other schools in embedding social and emotional learning in their communities,鈥 he explained.听听
鈥淎lready, we are in discussions with educators in Hong Kong, who plan to visit Girton later this year to observe how RULER has been integrated into our school, offering an exciting opportunity for cultural and educational exchange.鈥听
The accolade follows last year鈥檚 visit to Yale University by three of Girton鈥檚 Junior School teachers, who completed specialised training with the program鈥檚 developers. These teachers are now sharing their knowledge with colleagues to further enrich the school鈥檚 RULER program.听听
For more information about RULER and the RULER Spotlight School program, visit .听听
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