Churchie students reflect on their nativity paintings, chosen by Archbishop Jeremy for his 2024 Christmas cards
Dates & Seasons
Hear from the Churchie students who created the winning designs for Archbishop Jeremy’s Christmas cards this year
Steph Cotroneo — Lay Minister, Chaplain at Churchie’s Preparatory School
In Religious Education lessons, Year 5 Churchie students investigated different presentations of the nativity and the way that artists have expressed the infancy narrative. Students discussed and explored the differences and similarities and looked for cultural influences in paintings and nativity sets from around the world.
Research skills were used to make comparisons between the Gospel accounts. Students explored which Gospels mentioned the parts of the infancy narrative that they were familiar with, such as the birth of Jesus, the Magi, the shepherds, the angels and the manger.
In Art lessons with Mrs Hickling, the students were given a choice to decide on the scene they wished to draw and paint, based on their research. They were encouraged to draw large simple shapes in pencil. They then traced the pencil with a black sharpie and painted with acrylic paint.
The opportunity to create these images for Archbishop Jeremy’s Christmas cards provided our Year 5 students with a meaningful learning experience and a creative collaboration between Art and Religious Education.
“My design is a dove flying in the night sky,” says Churchie student Alan, pictured here with Archbishop Jeremy Greaves in October 2024
Alan — student, Churchie
My design is a dove flying in the night sky. The dove symbolises peace and the sky symbolises the night when Jesus was born.
My favourite part of the nativity story is when the angels of God guided Joseph and Mary to the place where Jesus was born.
The sacredness that the story has and how it is important for people to understand.
“My design symbolises Mary and Joseph with Jesus,” says Churchie student Angus, pictured here with Archbishop Jeremy Greaves in October 2024
Angus — student, Churchie
My design symbolises Mary and Joseph with Jesus. They are under the star, which the magi saw and signalled to them that Jesus was born, God’s son.
Right now, my favourite part of the nativity story is the way when Jesus was born — they put him in the manger and all the animals were surrounding him.
Jesus came to give peace to the earth again and to teach everyone to learn how to respect and love God.
“My design is the birth of Jesus and Mary taking care of him,” says Churchie student Austin, pictured here with Archbishop Jeremy Greaves in October 2024
Austin — student, Churchie
My design is the birth of Jesus and Mary taking care of him.
My favourite part is when the angel said, “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy!” because it makes the people in that community happy and excited for Jesus to be born.
It is a time to remember Jesus and God and pray for them.
Archbishop Jeremy Greaves is known for writing personalised messages on hundreds of cards every year — he is pictured in his office in September 2024 writing on cards designed by three Churchie students, who reflected on the nativity story and what it means to them
