"When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them." - Acts 2:1-4 (MSG)

Pentecost literally means 50^th. It is a feast celebrated on the 50^th day after the Passover feast by the Jews, and it is a feast celebrated on the 50^th day after the feast of the Resurrection of Jesus by the Christians. On Christmas we celebrate the birthday of Christ in His Physical Body. Pentecost marks the birthday of the Church, of all those who have been reborn into His Mystical Body.

In Year 5T students undertook Pentecost artworks as part of their learnings in Religious Education and Faith Development. Students utilised main symbols associated with Pentecost including a dove and flame. They were able to articulate their visual ideas and make reference to previous events in the bible including the flood and the olive branch.

Emmason indicated that “the fire on the head of the people was how Jesus gave them a surprise, that they could talk to anyone about their faith and that Jesus was alive in spirit”.

Gabriella commented on her drawing, “The fire was how Jesus rose into Heaven, as a gift to the disciples was the Holy Spirit. The dove was a symbol of a new better life and the red hearts were the Holy Spirit”.

Fallon captured how the fire was based around receiving the Holy Spirit which fits the theme of Pentecost. The blue water border represents a special blessing and gift that Jesus gave to the people.

While Year 8 Religion classes undertook a Holy Spirit Dove craft activity. It was a hive of activity in Yellow 5 and 6 as students outlined key parts of the dove and pieced it together to create a dove out of a paper plate. It was pleasing to see creative thinking and problem solving in action.