Over 100 guests gathered at historic Eton College on 26th June to celebrate a truly outstanding year for Mosaic South East. In March Slough and Eton School won the fourth Apax-Mosaic Enterprise Challenge and Beechwood School, also from Slough, came an impressive second.
Tony Little, Headmaster of Eton College said: “Eton College is proud to host Mosaic events, such as the South East Regional Celebration. Mosaic stands for active tolerance and moral purpose, values we share and stand for at Eton.”
Summing up the events of the year, Punam Kharbanda commented: “It’s been a roller-coaster of a year for the South East Region, taking first and second places in this year’s Enterprise Challenge was the real highlight and really showcases the commitment of the whole team from mentors, to schools, students and our local partners.”
The audience was treated to the business pitches of the winners of the Enterprise Challenge competition, Team Silver Tie from Slough and Eton School and from runners up, Team Odyssey from Beechwood. Speaking of the performances on the night, Punam Kharbanda added: “Both teams really reminded us tonight of just why they achieved first and second places in this year’s competition. They were simply brilliant and we are so proud.”
Paul McAteer, Head of Slough & Eton School said: “Mosaic offers our young people opportunities to enable them to succeed to the highest level in a number of different ways; group mentoring, access to competitions such as the Enterprise Challenge where our winning team have been given some top class business mentoring, and on an individual level where one of our boys was given an introduction to McLaren Formula One.”
The BBC London news reader and Mosaic Ambassador Asad Ahmad, gave a very powerful and moving speech about how, despite coming from a deprived area, having hope had given him the motivation he needed to succeed.
Asad then did a Q&A session with those engaged in Mosaic’s three schools programmes: Enterprise Challenge and Mosaic’s primary and secondary school mentoring programmes. The mentors, schools and students all spoke about how the programmes had benefited them personally.
Mosaic’s National Director, Jonathan Freeman added: “What an amazing evening. You simply cannot place a value on hearing the personal story from someone like Asad, who has been such a good friend to Mosaic. His story and the stories of all our mentors serve to inspire our young people to be the best they can be.”
Dara Carroll, Principal of The Milton Keynes Academy who have been running the group secondary mentoring programme for the past 3 years, delivered by Mosaic’s Partner The MKIAC Organisation, commented: “I was delighted to be able to come and learn more about the work of Mosaic and its impact on young people’s lives. The commitment of both Mosaic and MKIAC Organisation is inspirational and it is a real pleasure to be able to demonstrate the Academy’s support of the work that these organisations do by attending such an enjoyable event. To be able to see our students speak about the benefits of the programme was a real bonus.”
Robina Khan, Mum of a student from Godolphin Junior School in Slough, who took part in the primary school mentoring programme, commented: “Romana and I had a fantastic time at the Eton College Celebration event and were pleased to take part in the Q&A session where we could tell the audience about how much we benefited from the Mosaic primary schools programme. It was wonderful to see so many inspiring people and the passion they have for Mosaic”
The evening closed with a very personal speech from Regional Chairmen Shahid Azeem, who rallied everyone to get involved. Shahid said: “The evening was a wonderful celebration of everything that has been achieved in the region over the last year and it was an opportunity to thank everyone involved. Mosaic is making a difference to everyone who takes part and is giving something back to the community. We want to build on this success next year.”
Mosaic South East is now recruiting mentors to support programme delivery commencing in the autumn term. Anyone interested in becoming a mentor should contact punam.kharbanda@bitc.org.uk
