As part of our Home/School/Pastoral Care programme, we are delighted to be in a position to offer young people who have experienced the death of a close relative, separation or other painful change in their family the opportunity to participate in the Rainbows 9 week Peer support Programme – which already takes place in over 500 schools and parishes throughout the country.
When something significant happens in a family, the entire family is affected. If a parent dies or parents separate or a painful loss occurs, not only do the parents grieve, the children do also. Grief is an expression of love and a normal human reaction to a significant loss. Children find it difficult to verbalize their feelings of grief because of their age and inexperience. It may surface in their behavior, schoolwork and emotional well-being.
Rainbows is a support group that helps children put their feelings into words, work through their grief, build a stronger sense of self-esteem, and begin to adapt to what has taken place in the family. Rainbows is not a counseling group. It is a safe, confidential setting where children will share their grief associated feelings with each other and with trained Facilitators.
Children are grouped with others of a similar age experiencing a similar loss. There are tragic losses that can cause extreme trauma. The Rainbows programme is not adequate in these circumstances. Professional help should be sought. If children are already attending professional counseling/family therapy etc. the professional’s advice must be sought before application is made for attendance at Rainbows.
We invite you to discuss the contents of this letter with your child in advance of application to attend Rainbows so that they understand what Rainbows is about.
The Rainbows programme consists of 9 sessions and will start after St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
The application forms are available through the school secretary and should be returned to the school principal no later than the 16th March, 2022.
If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact the school or visit www.rainbowsireland.ie.
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Mr. Ambrose McGinnity – Rainbows Site Administrator
