Cape Town - The robotics and coding teams from Erica Primary School in Belhar have returned victorious in their own right after competing in this year’s World Robot Olympiad South Africa in Johannesburg.
The school’s teams ranked fifth and 25th in the Explorer Prime category, and sixth and 18th in the Explorer Lite. A total of 30 schools nationally competed in the Olympiad.
The school also placed fifth nationally in the Future Innovators Junior 2024 category, after presenting designs for robots, based on a theme.
Coach Vernon Petersen, who has headed the club for two years, said the journey was “incredible”.
“The experience was coupled with a lot of hard work and learning.
“We are just so glad that everything went well, that we were sorted and seen to.”
Petersen expressed his pride regarding the learners’ rankings.
“We are extremely proud and happy. What they achieved is truly remarkable, especially going up against prestige schools and clubs – people who have a lot of resources to their advantage.”
He said even though the challenge was difficult, the learners still showed up and gave their best.
“For them to place so high in categories really says a lot about their abilities and how hard they have worked.
“This is an achievement for our community especially, and an achievement for every other school that faces such challenges.”
The World Robot Olympiad incorporates science, technology, education and robotics, and brings together young people from all over the world.
“Thank you to everyone that helped us, thank you … To every parent, colleague thank you too, thank you to Sakhikamva Foundation,” Petersen said.
“Funds were the biggest of the challenges. After approaching local businesses that couldn’t help, we still managed to make it and show up.
“Many times our children’s efforts are undervalued, especially where support is concerned, but they showed otherwise.”
Petersen said they were now preparing for the First Lego League competition in October.
“We require all the help we can get.”