Gorey Educate Together are delighted to be in a position to offer the pupils in our school who have experienced the death of a close relative, separation or other painful change in their family the opportunity to participate in the RAINBOWS 12 week Peer Support Programme – which already takes place in over 500 venues 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 verbalise their feelings of grief because of their age and inexperience. It may surface in their behaviour, 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 accept what has taken place in the family. RAINBOWS is not a counselling group. It is a safe, confidential setting where children will share their grief associated feelings with each other and with trained facilitators, who are members of our staff.
Children are generally grouped with others experiencing a similar loss. Children may be assigned to mixed groups because of necessity.
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 counselling/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 12 sessions and will take place on Thursday afternoon’s from 2.45 – 3.30, starting on Thursday, 24th March.
The slip below should be returned to the school office and an application form will be given to you at a future date. There will be a limited number of spaces available this year and priority shall be given to the older children in the school.
If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact us.
Jacinta Hayes, Rainbows Co-Ordinator Raymond Swan, Principal
