Our Year 6 and Year 9 students have recently delved into robotics and coding. They participated in the First Lego League competition, where they proudly won the Innovation Award!
Over the past few months, students in Years 6 and 9 at Rehoboth have been immersed in the world of robotics and real-world applications. They’ve been learning about robotics systems, coding, and the innovative ways these machines can address some of the pressing challenges in the underwater environment. This year’s First Lego League (FLL) competition theme focused on the wonders and challenges of the underwater world, inspiring students to explore how robots can contribute to maintaining marine ecosystems.
The competition gave our students a hands-on experience in building and programming their own Lego robots, each designed to accomplish specific underwater tasks. From maintaining pipelines to assisting in coral reef preservation, and even recovering shipwrecks, these projects offered insights into the various roles that robotics can play under the sea.
To bring these concepts to life, students constructed Lego structures representing underwater objects, which their robots would need to interact with. Each team had to not only build the robots but also code them to autonomously complete tasks, challenging their skills in engineering, coding, and teamwork.
In addition to the robotics missions, each team was asked to identify a real-world problem affecting the oceans and propose a creative solution. This task encouraged students to think like young inventors, applying their learning to practical issues. Their presentations required them to communicate their ideas clearly and passionately to the judges, combining technical knowledge with creativity and innovation.
On 2 November, three of our Year 6 teams from Wilson and Kenwick Primary Campuses and one Year 9 team represented Rehoboth at the First Lego League competition held at Armadale Senior High School. Each team was given thirty minutes to pitch their projects and showcase their robots. Following their presentations, they put their robots to the test on the competition field, attempting to complete as many missions as possible within a two-and-a-half-minute timeframe. The excitement was contagious, and it was amazing to see how hard the students worked to meet each challenge.
The event brought our Rehoboth community together in a remarkable way, with parents, teachers, and volunteers dedicating their Saturday to cheer on our young engineers. Special thanks go to our dedicated technology teachers—Mr Andy Yu, Mrs Kate Witcombe, and Mrs Allison Norman—who tirelessly coached our teams, offering guidance and encouragement every step of the way. We also want to recognize the amazing support from Mr Nathan de Bruyn, and Mrs Eva de Bruyn and Mrs Sonia Ong, who came along as volunteers to help ensure the day went smoothly. And of course, a heartfelt thanks to the parents who not only supported their children’s commitment to the program but also cheered them on enthusiastically at the event.
Throughout the day, there was a wonderful sense of community and camaraderie as everyone shared in the excitement and pride of our students’ accomplishments. Laughter and fellowship filled our breaks as we gathered for snacks and lunch, reminding us all how meaningful these experiences are. The highlight came when our school received the Innovation Award in the regional round of the competition. When I asked the kids if they’d want to participate again, their enthusiastic “Yes!” said it all, capturing the joy and energy of the day.
A fitting verse to conclude this journey of hard work, fellowship, and innovation is Colossians 3:23:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
This verse reminds us that whether building robots, solving problems, or supporting one another, our efforts are meaningful when we put our hearts into them for a greater purpose. Congratulations again to all the students, teachers, and parents for their dedication and teamwork—you’ve made Rehoboth proud!
