Girton Grammar School is proud to share that two of its leading Junior School teachers, Vanessa Juergens and Prue Milner, have been invited to present at the 2025 RULER Implementation Conference in October hosted by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence in New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
RULER is an evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning developed at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. RULER stands for Recognising, Understanding, Labelling, Expressing and Regulating emotions, and is designed to support school communities in understanding the value of emotions, building the skills of emotional intelligence, and creating and maintaining positive school climates.
Girton Grammar’s Junior School has been implementing the RULER approach for more than 12 years, making it one of the longest-standing RULER schools in Australia. The school’s commitment to fostering emotional intelligence is embedded in its teaching practices, student support systems, and leadership programs.
This year, the RULER Implementation Conference explores the theme “The Power of Emotion Regulation for Leaders, Teachers, and Learners.” Ms Juergens and Ms Milner will present a session titled “Regulate to Elevate: Building Emotionally Resilient Students In- and Outside of the Classroom.” It will explore how emotional regulation strategies are embedded in the culture of Girton’s Junior School, supporting students’ wellbeing, academic success, and personal growth.
Ms Juergens and Ms Milner will showcase Girton’s innovative HQ and Body Break room – two spaces that provide students with practical tools and environments to self-regulate and reset throughout the school day. Their presentation will include a video case study featuring student and parent voices, offering insight into how emotional regulation is actively practised and supported in everyday school life in and out of the classroom.
“We are honoured to represent Girton and Australia on this global stage, and to share the work that we do at Girton,” said Ms Juergens. “Regulation is the foundation of all learning, and our approach ensures students feel safe, seen and supported, both inside and outside of the classroom.”
This opportunity is further recognition of Girton’s work in emotional intelligence and wellbeing, following Girton’s selection as a 2025 RULER Spotlight School in late 2024.