Secondary students from Eastlea Community School in Newham, recently had the honour of being flagbearers for one of the largest annual multi-faith services in the UK, the Commonwealth Day of Observance.

The 6 flagbearers, who have taken part in Mosaic’s secondary school mentoring programme, were watched on by VIPs and over 1,000 other schoolchildren at the event, which took place at Westminster Abbey. Onlookers included His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, the Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth High Commissioners, Sir Richard Branson, campaigner Malala Yousafzaiand government ministers.

The event celebrated ‘Opportunity through Enterprise’, and recognised economic innovation throughout the Commonwealth, a theme particularly relevant to Mosaic as we prepare for the fourth Apax-Mosaic Enterprise Challenge Grand Finals, taking place on 1 May 2014.

Sir Richard Branson, speaking at the event, said:

“Entrepreneurs always look for opportunities to solve problems and dramatically improve people’s lives. This insatiable curiosity leads us to search for gaps in the market, to invest and create wonderful new services, products and jobs.”

Lara Noah from Eastlea Community School, said:

“The best part was Richard Branson’s speech. It was the first time I thought that something was inspirational as I was listening. He told us about starting his company with a little money given to him by his dad and I thought, he started small and look at him know. If he can do this then maybe I can too.”

Malala Yousafzai, a renowned education campaigner, also gave an inspirational speech to onlookers which you can view above or on Youtube.