CHAC community members share their Palm Sunday insights and learnings
Dates & Seasons
Find out what Life and Faith Head of Faculty Maria Thompson and four Year 9 students from Cannon Hill Anglican College learnt while studying the gospel accounts of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and making palm crosses for St Stephen’s, Coorparoo
Leading up to Holy Week this year, Year 9 Cannon Hill Anglican College students made palm crosses for St Stephen’s, Coorparoo and studied the gospels as part of their Palm Sunday studies.
Maria Thompson — Head of Faculty, Life and Faith, Cannon Hill Anglican College
In one lesson students interacted with the four gospel accounts of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, comparing and contrasting them. The students had previously completed a hermeneutical analysis of a parable of their choice, so they had developed their skills understanding biblical texts. Students investigated contextual themes in the gospel readings, including the donkey, the palms, the cloaks, the Old Testament references and the meaning of “Hosanna”. They also explored the politics, both Jewish and Roman, to more deeply understand how the people witnessing Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey would have been understood.
We also discussed how the Church today incorporates this into Palm Sunday commemorations and the tradition of the palm cross. This included learning how to make palm crosses so they could be gifted to St Stephen’s Anglican Church in Coorparoo for their Palm Sunday services.
The Rev’d Kesh and The Rev’d Catherine Govan from St Stephen’s sent us this thoughtful message after receiving the palm crosses:
“Thank you so much to the staff and students for arranging to make the palm crosses for our Sunday Service. They were gratefully received and made such an impact. We appreciate all the time and effort that went into the work and are so thankful you could support us in this way. We wish you all the blessing of Easter and a wonderful start to Term 2.”
Ben Bradshaw — Year 9 student, Cannon Hill Anglican College
I enjoyed making palm crosses and learning about the symbolism related to Palm Sunday. In the picture, I am teaching my friend to make the palm crosses. I am proud to have helped make palm crosses for St Stephen’s and I hope that those who received them at the Palm Sunday service enjoyed them.
Year 9 Cannon Hill Anglican College students Madeleine James, Isla Mulquiney and Charlotte Kim making palm crosses for the St Stephen’s, Coorparoo community in 2024
Charlotte Kim — Year 9 student, Cannon Hill Anglican College
Palm crosses are symbolic of victory and eternal life and were waved high with pride as Jesus rode into Jerusalem. To be able to make these crosses now and distribute them to churches for our community and Christians to keep is an honour and reminds people to welcome Jesus into their hearts and willingly follow him. It was a fun task alongside friends, and a little competitiveness slid into who made the most palm crosses, resulting in many, many crosses.
Isla Mulquiney — Year 9 student, Cannon Hill Anglican College
It was great to have been able to do something practical that benefits our community. It was interesting to learn about the significance of the tradition and the history behind palm crosses. Whilst making the crosses we learnt about how important this custom is to Christians, which made the experience even more memorable. I loved hearing that the church community appreciated the gesture, and it was lovely to have been able to contribute in this small way.
Isaac Boyle Vazquez — Year 9 student, Cannon Hill Anglican College
I felt making these crosses was calming and fun.
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