Robotics

Robotics

Cristhina Boni Lavratti, Robotics Manager

FIRST LEGO League Regional Competition – Macquarie University 

On Saturday 25 October, five Pymble teams from Years 5 and 6 travelled to Macquarie University to compete in the annual FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Regional Competition. 

  • 3342 The Vannillalings: Lola Yang (Year 6), Tiana Zhang (Year 6), Kaylee Yang (Year 5), Hannah Kim (Year 6) 
  • 3343 Expired, Sparkly Doormat.: Elaine Liu (Year 6), Isla Lu (Year 6), Chloe Ma (Year 5) 
  • 3344 Arkhaios: Cleo Zhu (Year 6), Felicia Huang (Year 6), Isabella Zhang (Year 6), Arya Raman (Year 5), Bella Geng-Yang (Year 6) 
  • 3345 Happy Potatoes: Jessica Wang (Year 5), Mikayla Kiang (Year 5), Isabella Li (Year 5), Vivien Huang (Year 5) 
  • 3346 Chez Sandstorm: Isabella Wang (Year 6), Candice Li (Year 6), Ivanka Jia (Year 6), Scarlett Xiong (Year 5), Anna Leong (Year 6), Nadya Faheem (Year 5) 

Over the course of Term 3, students built and programmed LEGO robots to autonomously complete as many challenges on the board as possible within two and a half minutes. On the day, many teams achieved high scores, with one placing eighth out of 32 teams. 

In addition to the robot matches, teams presented a 30-minute session to the judges, explaining their robot design, coding strategies, and innovation projects. This year’s theme, Archaeology, inspired students to develop creative solutions for problems such as protecting fragile artifacts, improving safety at dig sites, and locating items underground using technology. 

All teams had a fantastic day filled with dancing, clapping, cheering, and celebrating one another’s successes. We wish our Year 6 students all the best as they graduate from FLL, and we look forward to seeing our returning students continue their robotics journey next year! 

NSW VEX Robotics State Championships  

On Sunday 9 November, six VEX V5 and five VEX IQ teams proudly represented Pymble at the NSW VEX State Championships. We are incredibly proud of all the hard work, dedication, and resilience that brought them to this level of competition.  

VEX IQ NSW Elementary School State Championships 

  • 6510B Shrekbots: Arin Sadananda (Year 5), Mia Farthing (Year 6), Caroline Liu (Year 6), Aisha Younus (Year 6), Chhichi Lee (Year 6) 
  • 6510D Once Upon a Duck: Mikayla Kiang (Year 5), Sooin Lee (Year 6), Aurora Lin (Year 6), Claire Que (Year 5) 
  • 6510E AVAE: Vivien Huang (Year 5), Alex Xiao (Year 5), Alyssa Ng (Year 5), Euphemia Wang (Year 5) 
  • 6510K ERROR 404: Team Not Found: Miranda Liu (Year 5), Jianing Li (Year 5), Jing Huang (Year 5), Mia Wang (Year 5) 
  • 6510P It’s a Jam: Adela Wu (Year 5), Annabel Zhang (Year 5), Jacqueline Yang (Year 5), Madeleine Martin (Year 5) 

VEX V5 NSW Middle School State Championships 

  • 65100C Pymble Potatos: Renee Kong (Year 7), Michelle Ng (Year 7), Lexie Wang (Year 7), Angela Li (Year 7), Chloe Zheng (Year 7) 
  • 65100F: Eden Ni (Year 8), Adele Jiang (Year 8), Ella Su (Year 8), Madeleine King (Year 8), Duola Lin (Year 8) 
  • 65100G Gerf: Audrey Wyldhill (Year 8), Sophia Wong (Year 8), Charlotte Pang (Year 8) 
  • 65100K Velocity: Bianca Ng (Year 7), Adeline Wu (Year 7), Chelsea Wang (Year 7) 
  • 65100M Goosey Woosey: Charlotte Ma (Year 7), Ashleigh Yip (Year 7), Viha Vijayasaravanan (Year 7), Zainab Sijal (Year 7) (with support from Melanni Baker (Year 7) and Tian Xue (Year 7)) 
  • 65100N Niminiminions: Lily Dao (Year 8), Jessica Franklin (Year 8), Ellie Lau (Year 8), Jing Yan Chung (Year 8), Athena Ng (Year 8) (with support from Kathy Wang (Year 9)) 

Even though our students had attended several competitions before, States was on another level — both exciting and nerve-wracking. We were so proud to see our teams supporting one another, especially when things didn’t go as planned. 

For some teams, like 65100G Gerf, the day was a rollercoaster of highs and lows — but they communicated, adapted, and finished strong, becoming tournament finalists alongside Team 4613R Barker Redbacks, and qualifying for VEX Nationals in Adelaide this December. 

Our VEX IQ students also demonstrated incredible perseverance and teamwork. Beyond the technical challenges, they learned valuable soft skills, managing emotions, communicating clearly, and supporting each other through every round. A special mention goes to Team 6510K, who made it to the playoffs, finishing fifth overall. 

A big shout-out also goes to all the Pymble teams that didn’t qualify for States this year but competed with passion and determination throughout the season. We are very proud of their creativity, innovation, building, coding, and constant iteration, the true spirit of engineering and learning in action. 

It was an exciting and inspiring day of learning, teamwork, and growth. With mentors unable to assist in the pits or on the field, students took full ownership of their work, showing maturity, kindness, and collaboration, truly reflecting the Pymble values in everything they did. 

FIRST LEGO League Regional Competition Photos 

VEX IQ NSW Elementary School State Championships Photos 

VEX V5 NSW Middle School State Championships Photos