The annual competition of the Columban Missionaries attracted a record 349 entries across Britain and Ireland, the highest number in the nine years the Columbans have run the Schools Media Competition. Young people aged between 13 and 18 years were asked to produce a piece of writing (prose or poem) or image that explored perceptions of people seeking sanctuary, considering practical examples of welcome and solidarity.
Every entry was positive about the Church’s stance of ‘welcoming the stranger’ despite recent threats and animosity against people seeking sanctuary in Britain and Ireland. In Britain, winners’ names have been anonymised amidst the tensions. James Trewby, Coordinator of the Columban Justice, Peace and Ecology Team and a competition organiser in Britain, reflects that, “it is a testament to the courage and commitment of the schools that they are willing to stand up and witness to living out Catholic Social Teaching.”
Entries from 31 schools in England, Wales and Scotland were judged by media experts who praised the high quality of all the entries shortlisted. Judges incuded Ruth Gledhill (Assistant Editor at The Tablet), Josephine Siedlecka (Founder and Editor of Independent Catholic News – ICN), Columban Fr. Tim Mulroy ( former Columban Superior General and now based in Britain), Lexi Moulton (an art teacher involved in Columban programmes with refugees), James Trewby, and a group of 14 people with lived experiences of migration from Hope Garden in Birmingham.
The winning piece of writing came from A. (18), St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School and Sixth Form in Birmingham, which is a School of Sanctuary. Runners Up were A. (18), St. David’s Catholic Sixth Form College in Cardiff and J. (15), Holy Trinity Academy in Telford, Shropshire. The winner wrote: “Refugees do not choose their journeys, but we can choose to walk beside them. And in doing so, we may discover that welcoming the stranger does not diminish us, but it transforms us.” Headteacher Chris Martin wrote: “We are delighted that a student in our 6th form has written so passionately and eloquently about supporting refugees. He has shown real faith in action by reflecting on what refugees encounter by fleeing their homes and we should welcome each person into a new and strange environment.”
The winning image came from G. (14), The Holy Cross School, New Malden. Runners up were K. (16), Sacred Heart of Mary Girls’ School in Upminster, East London and J. (15), Loreto Grammar School in Altrincham, Greater Manchester. G. said of her first place submission, ‘Between Borders’: “A young refugee gazes beyond a border, with flags reflected in raindrops on the window and distant memories of home in her eyes, symbolising how, after the storm, we can offer hope so refugees never forget where they come from.” Her art teacher, Ms Rita Peneda, wrote: “I am so proud of G. for her winning piece. Her originality in detailing world flags within raindrops displays both impressive artistic skill and a deeply sensitive heart that embodies the values of kindness and solidarity we cherish at Holy Cross School.”
The Hope Garden Refugee Group “admired the talent of the young people and their understanding of the topic.” The Columbans thanked all the young people who entered the 2026 competition and the judging panels for their support. Former themes of the Competition have focused on Climate Change, Migration, Throwaway Culture, Racism, 21st Century Changemakers, Peace, Biodiversity and, last year, ‘Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope.’