Rainbows
Rainbows Support Programme
Overview:
Rainbows is a national service designed to provide group support for children navigating significant changes due to bereavement, parental separation, or divorce. St. Thomas’ JNS is proud to be a registered Rainbows programme centre.
Programme Details:
- Duration: The Rainbows programme spans nine weeks.
- Group Structure: Separate groups are formed for bereavement and for separation/divorce from 1st and 2nd classes only. Each group consists of a minimum of four to a maximum of eight children, supported by two trained volunteer facilitators.
- Schedule:
- Expression of Interest Forms: Distributed each year.
- Start Date: The programme begins in March*
- Timing: Sessions are held after school hours and are completely free of charge (From 2:40pm – 4:00pm)
*Depending on numbers only certain groups may go ahead at any one time.
Benefits of Rainbows:
Rainbows provides children with a safe space to explore and discuss their shared experiences of loss. Participants often express feelings of relief and connection, saying things like:
- “I’m not the only one.”
- “We are not the only family.”
Parents have noted positive changes in their children, including increased ease, reduced anxiety, and improved communication following the programme.
Contact Information:
For more information, visit Rainbows Ireland or contact the Rainbows coordinators at St. Thomas’ JNS:
We encourage families to consider this valuable support service for children facing challenging times.
Hot School Lunches
Thank you to everybody who responded to the Hot School Meals Programme this week. It was great to see so many people respond. We are looking at all our options and available suppliers so that we can ensure the children get the healthiest and most suitable lunch option for all children and we will be in touch in due course.
Free Bike Engraving
The Community Policing Unit at Lucan Garda Station wish to notify your school that we are holding a Free Bicycle Engraving event on Monday the 3rd of February 2025.
Please see attached details, if your staff and students could be notified of same. We hope to see you all soon!
Principals Note
Thank you to all parents/guardians for their flexibility and support and patience over the past few weeks as I know the weather has been very indifferent and some days the school has opened at 8.45 a.m. to ensure the children can enter school safely.
The school will be closed on Monday the 3rd of February 2025.