Robotics
First Tech Challenge (FTC) Sydney Qualifier
This past Sunday, Pymble proudly hosted the FTC Sydney Qualifier, welcoming 24 teams from across the region for a thrilling day of robotics competition. Among them were three Pymble teams – 18360 Pymble Plions, 18359 Pymble Lion Cubs, and 23636 Pymble Pterojazama Party Sharks – who represented the College with determination, resilience and enthusiasm.
Hosting an event of this scale was no small feat, requiring an immense team effort. Volunteers gave up their Sunday to assist, and our robotics students worked tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly. They set up and dismantled fields, coordinated teams, managed logistics and supported participants with energy and professionalism, showcasing the very best of Pymble.
A special thanks to Mr. Becker, whose dedication and leadership made this event possible despite his many other commitments. His support and effort were instrumental in ensuring the competition’s success, and we are deeply grateful.
For our students, the Sydney Qualifier followed the lessons learned at the Wollongong event the previous week. Each team returned with a focus on improvement, showcasing incredible growth and persistence in their preparation and performance.
- Team 18360 Pymble Plions approached the competition with confidence and determination, building on their experience in Wollongong. Their matches highlighted their grit, culminating in a hard-fought run to the final match, where they were narrowly defeated by the top alliance. Their incredible performance earned them a well-deserved spot at Nationals.
- Team 18359 Pymble Lion Cubs, despite being one of the youngest teams competing, demonstrated exceptional focus and teamwork. They refined their intake mechanism and practiced driving tirelessly, leading to faster scoring and a sixth overall ranking. Advancing to the semifinals, they impressed judges with their creativity and were awarded the Innovate Award (First Place), securing their place at Nationals.
- Team 23636 Pymble Pterojazama Party Sharks showcased their commitment to improvement by designing and building a new intake system within a week of the Wollongong event. Their efforts were rewarded with the Think Award (Second Place), a recognition of their continuous innovation and determination, earning them a Nationals qualification.
Each Pymble team faced unique challenges but rose to the occasion with perseverance, adaptability, and team spirit. Judges were impressed not only by their technical abilities but by their resilience and growth.
Hosting the Sydney Qualifier was an honour and a significant achievement for Pymble’s Robotics community. We are immensely proud of our students, staff, and volunteers who made the event a success, and we look forward to cheering on our talented teams as they compete at Nationals in December. The future of robotics at Pymble is brighter than ever!
Cristhina Boni Lavratti
Robotics Manager