From the Principal
The importance of social and emotional learning; feelings matter
At MLC School, we have long known that learning is not only cognitive; it is deeply human. Every day, our students and staff bring curiosity, energy, uncertainty, joy, challenge and many other feelings into our classrooms and community spaces. How we recognise, understand and respond to these emotions has a profound impact on wellbeing, relationships, decision-making and learning.
This is why MLC School has begun an important journey to embed RULER, an evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning developed by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. RULER was developed by Professor Marc Brackett, founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and author of Permission to Feel, a book that has helped schools and communities better understand the power of emotions in learning, wellbeing and relationships. RULER is built around five key emotional intelligence skills: Recognising, Understanding, Labelling, Expressing and Regulating emotions. These skills help young people and adults develop a shared language for emotions and practical strategies for using emotions wisely.
In Permission to Feel, Brackett argues that emotions are not distractions from learning or leadership; they are information. They shape attention, memory, decision-making, creativity, relationships and performance. His work invites us to move beyond simply encouraging young people to be resilient or calm, and instead to teach them the skills to notice what they feel, make sense of those feelings and choose helpful responses. This aligns strongly with our belief at MLC School that wellbeing and learning are inseparable.
Our implementation is beginning thoughtfully and deliberately. A small group of staff is currently undertaking RULER training, developing their own understanding of the framework and considering how it can be introduced in ways that are authentic to MLC School. This early phase is about learning together, testing ideas, building confidence and ensuring that our approach is purposeful rather than simply adding another program to an already full school life.
Over time, RULER will support us to strengthen the emotional climate of our School. It will help students name what they are feeling with greater precision, understand the causes and consequences of emotions, express themselves appropriately and develop strategies to regulate in moments of challenge or heightened emotion. Just as importantly, it will support staff and families to use a consistent language when guiding students through the complexities of learning, friendship, leadership and growing up.
For a school committed to the education of girls who are courageous, compassionate, capable and connected, this work matters. Emotional intelligence is not separate from academic success or personal growth; it underpins both. When students feel known, supported and equipped with the tools to navigate their emotions, they are better able to engage deeply, take intellectual risks, build healthy relationships and contribute positively to their community.
We look forward to sharing more with our community as this journey unfolds. For now, we are excited to be taking these first steps with care, reflection and optimism, knowing that the work of growing emotional intelligence will enrich the way we learn, lead and live together at MLC School. If you would like to learn more about this approach, please enjoy these resources.
Dr Marc Brackett and Brené Brown on ‘Permission to feel’ podcast
Use of student images in social media and publications
Parents and carers are reminded that they may opt out of having their daughter’s photo used by the School for the whole range of advertising, newsletters, social media and/or print publications. The opt-out applies to all uses, except Excelsior, the School’s archival year book. Unfortunately it’s not possible to select where an image may or may not be used, an opt-out decision applies across the board.
The School will always contact parents to seek permission to use imagery in major advertising such as billboards or on transport.
If you wish to remove or change permissions, please email mrulloda@mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au
Please include your daughter’s name and Year group.
– Lisa Moloney
Principal
From the Head of Learning and Teaching – Parent Focus Group on AI
There has been a lively and important debate in local and international media this week about student use of AI in learning and the place of screens in classrooms. In Norway, authorities have recently restricted the use of screens for students in Grades 1–4, following concerns about declining literacy and numeracy results, and have expanded opportunities for free play. Closer to home, NSW Education Minister Prue Car has called for NESA to require all student assessments to be completed in class, amid growing concerns about academic malpractice. Around the world, schools are now navigating a complex but important question: how do we prepare young people for a digital future while also protecting the habits of mind that allow them to read with stamina, pay attention, reason carefully and think deeply?
At MLC School, we want our girls to be confident and discerning users of technology who are able to invent, collaborate, create and connect. We also want them to develop the intellectual discipline, curiosity and resilience that underpin meaningful learning. We have never been a school to simply follow the tide. Instead, we are taking the time to listen carefully, examine the research and develop an informed position paper that articulates our approach to student use of AI. As part of this work, we would greatly value your input. If you would like to be part of a parent focus group to discuss student use of AI and screens in classrooms, please complete this form.
– Melissa McMahon
Head of Learning and Teaching