St. Margaret Mary’s Catholic Junior School held a remembrance day for Olivia Pratt-Korbel on what would have been her 10th birthday.
Olivia was fatally shot in her home on 22 August 2022, in a story that sent shockwaves across the country.
On the day, Olivia’s mum Cheryl and sister opened the Olivia Performance Area in the playground of the school. The area had been designed by pupils at the school and approved by Olivia’s mum.
The Archdiocese of Liverpool, Knowsley Council and the charitable organisation Wooden Spoon funded the area.
Talented children from the school performed in the brand new area after the opening watched by Olivia’s family, parents, governors and key personnel who have supported the school over the past academic year including local councillors, representatives from the Archdiocese of Liverpool and Knowsley Council, representatives from Wooden Spoon, Pentagon(the company who created the area) and Altru Drama.
Olivia’s class, dressed in her favourite colour pink, then led a collective worship to remember and pray for Olivia and her family.
During the opening of the area, headteacher Rebecca Wilkinson said: “We wanted to remember Olivia in the most appropriate way possible. We wanted her friends and classmates to be involved in the decisions, which is why we asked them to design the area.
“Olivia loved performing, so it is an incredibly fitting tribute to her. The children in the school have shown so much resilience so it is great to have this area that gives them a space to enjoy and perform in and continue the hobby Olivia loved so much.
“A big thank you to the Archdiocese of Liverpool and Knowsley Council for supporting the school and funding this area.”
Chris Williams, deputy director of education at the Archdiocese of Liverpool, who attended the opening, added: “It has been an absolute pleasure to support the school with the project.
“Olivia’s tragic death had such an impact on the city, particularly her school community, so we were incredibly keen to help with creating a fitting and long-lasting tribute to remember Olivia.
“The school has been a tremendous beacon for their community during the past year. We are very proud of all the pupils, staff, governors and parents.”
