A Year 4 pupil from St Laurence’s Catholic Primary School has won the Archdiocese’s First Holy Communion Badge Competition, with her design set to be worn by more than 6,000 children this year.

Abigail Bibby was chosen as the winner of the competition to design a special pin badge for children making their First Holy Communion across the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

Judges received hundreds of wonderful designs, and after selecting finalists, asked Archbishop John Sherrington to pick the winner.

Explaining the inspiration behind her artwork, Abigail said: “I drew a dove to represent the Holy Spirit. I drew a cross which is where Jesus died. I drew the bread and wine to represent the Holy Eucharist, and I drew candles because Jesus is the light of the world.”

To mark her success, Canon Michael Fitzsimons, Epsicopal Vicar for Education and Pat Peel, Primary Schools Adviser, visited the school to present Abigail with a certificate and an art kit during a special assembly attended by pupils, staff, and her parents.

The school also received a certificate and a Perspex version of the winning badge design, while Abigail was presented with her own Perspex keepsake of the badge.

Headteacher Mr Mackenzie praised Abigail’s achievement, saying: “We are incredibly proud of Abigail and the thoughtful faith she expressed through her design. The badge beautifully captures the meaning of First Holy Communion, and it is wonderful to know that thousands of children across the archdiocese will wear something created by one of our pupils.”

First Holy Communion celebrations have already begun in parishes across the archdiocese, meaning many children have already received the commemorative badge. In total, more than 6,000 children making their First Holy Communion this year will receive Abigail’s winning design.

Photo: Abigail with her parents, class teacher and headteacher, proudly holding her certificate and wearing the badge.