We are pleased to announce an addition to our school programme. Some members of staff have been trained to facilitate weekly support groups for children who have experienced any painful loss.

This programme is called RAINBOWS.

When something significant happens in a family, the entire family is affected. Even though death, divorce or other loss issues appear to be only grown up problems, they have a profound effect on the children who are touched by such experiences. If a parent dies or a divorce or a painful loss occurs not only do the parents grieve but the children also. Children may find it difficult to verbalise their feelings of grief because of their age and inexperience.

We have some very sensitive, caring, and trained members of staff who would like to help these 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.

If your child has experienced the death of a loved family member, or is struggling due to a painful family separation, this will be an opportunity for him/her to share with a special someone.

Please read the enclosed information about RAINBOWS. Through this support group, we hope to assist your child in expressing and understanding his/her feelings, about what has happened. We aim to accomplish this through peer support groups with adult facilitators to guide them as they begin to share their experiences.

Comments from some of the children that have attended RAINBOWS

“I like RAINBOWS because it is a kind, loving place.  It helps me with my feelings.  I can get everything off my shoulders.  Nobody says what I have said, I can tell them something and nothing will be told to other people.  We get to do activities to help us with our feelings. You can talk about divorce, loss, illness and talk about memories and things that have happened in the past.”

“RAINBOWS has helped me a lot because now I am more confident in what I do and how I can deal with it.  I like the group of friends that are there.  We are all kind to each other and don’t share others personal thoughts.  When we share memories we don't laugh or hurt the other people’s feelings.  The best bit about RAINBOWS is that we can share and believe they won't share your personal thoughts.” 

“RAINBOWS is a brilliant place to go and talk about a hard moment in your life.  If you feel a bit hard done by or a bit like 'Why me?' then you can sit down with people just like you and talk about it.  RAINBOWS has activities and games you play.  You can talk about regular stuff and funny stuff, it makes you realise that you're not the only one.  It's a good place to sit down and talk.”