Wellbeing & Learning
Diversity
Grief, Separation, Change and Loss Programme
From the time we are born, we experience changes in our lives, in many different ways. While most people think of grief in relation to death and bereavement, there are many other losses which cause grief and disruption in our lives. There are losses which involve people, such as separation, divorce or estrangement. Other losses involve geographic moves and relocation both within and between countries. Growing up and growing older involves loss and gain as children begin their formal schooling and young people leave the family home.
It is through grieving that we heal from a loss and recreate our identity in our changed situation. Although there is still a view that grieving is like an illness that can be overcome quickly and easily through an effort of will, the truth of the matter is that grieving is as complex as the relationships and attachments that are lost.
To help our children through their experiences of loss, whether it be bereavement, parent separation, disability of a family member, chronic illness in the family, moving house or changing schools, we are offering to children from Prep to Year 6 grief management sessions, based on the well-known grief and loss programme, Seasons for Growth. Through these sessions, we aim to promote healthy and meaningful adaptation to loss and change through skilled facilitation of peer support programmes and creative opportunities for learning and growth.
We hope to begin our sessions, facilitated by Mrs Sharon Cameron, in Week 6 this term. Sessions will run weekly, for a period of approximately ten weeks and will cover the following topics:
- Belonging to the group
- Identifying Feelings
- Feelings are okay
- My Story
- Memories
- Change
- Managing the loss
- Moving on
- A time to celebrate
If you would like your child to be a part of our Grief, Separation, Change and Loss Programme, please email me at jferris@gsmelbournesth.catholic.edu.au. I look forward to hearing from you soon!