Students from St Paul’s Way Secondary School recently took part in a special cultural event at Trinity Buoy Wharf, celebrating Bengali music, heritage and community.

The event was organised by THAMES and the World Heartbeat Foundation and brought together young people from across East London to showcase their talents and learn more about the creative industries.

A highlight of the evening was a tabla performance by St Paul’s Way Year 8 students, who performed alongside Bow School. Through weeks of practice and preparation, the young learners developed their musical skills and confidence before taking to the stage in front of an appreciative audience.

Their performance demonstrated both technical ability and a strong understanding of the rich traditions of Bengali music.

The event also provided a valuable learning opportunity for a group of Year 10 students. As part of a work experience programme, they shadowed the event producers throughout the day, gaining first hand insight into the planning and delivery of a live cultural event.

Students observed how different teams worked together to coordinate performers, manage logistics and ensure the event ran smoothly.

This experience was particularly meaningful as the Year 10 students are currently preparing to organise their own event at the same venue later this year.

By learning directly from industry professionals, they were able to develop new skills and gain a better understanding of the responsibilities involved in event production.

The event directly reflects our value of Community. Students came together with peers from another local school to celebrate culture, music and shared experiences.

It also demonstrated the importance of working collaboratively, supporting one another and building connections with organisations beyond the school, all of which are central to a strong and inclusive community.