All About Cork: Scoil na Croise Naofa team head to Robotics World Finals

Thu, 03 Apr, 2025 - 07:00

Darragh Bermingham

The Scoil na Croise Naofa school community is buzzing with excitement as it prepares to send a team of pupils to the VEX Robotics World Finals next month.

The VEX Robotics competition sees school students design, build, improve, and code a robot to compete in a competition among primary schools from all around Ireland, with more than 2,000 students involved from across the country.

Evie Buckley (5), pictured with her father David, and brother Cillian (11) join eclipse watchers at Blackrock Castle Observatory, hopeful for a glimpse of the sun through the overcast sky. Picture Chani Anderson

Scoil na Croise Naofa have been involved in the programme for more than nine years, and a team from the school was due to compete at the world finals in Kentucky, USA, in 2020 before the pandemic put a stop to it.

This year, the local school competed in the Cork Regional Competition in January and won three top awards: Driving Skills, Teamwork, and Excellence.

No sunshine, no problem — Sonny Keys, joins fellow eclipse watchers at Blackrock Castle Observatory, soaking in the experience, clouds and all. Picture: Chani Anderson

Munster Technological University hosted the national competition in February, where the Scoil na Croise Naofa team won two national titles —the national Teamwork Award, partnered with Scoil Taobhóige from Donegal, and the top award of the day; the national Excellence Award.

Dave Hayes, who is the VEX Robotics and Stem mentor at Scoil na Croise Naofa, said being crowned All-Ireland champions on the day was the cherry on top.

Nicholas Lettau, with his brother Julian, from Shanakiel, adjusts his eclipse glasses as he scans the sky during the partial eclipse at Blackrock Castle Observatory. Picture: Chani Anderson

The team of 10 pupils and four teachers will travel to Dallas, Texas, next month to represent Cork and Ireland on the world stage.

“This is the fourth time the school has won the All-Ireland competition, and the third time in a row,” said Mr Hayes.

“We always try to teach the students of Holy Cross that hard work and dedication is key in obtaining success.

“These students have given incredible time and effort to this project, coming in before school and staying behind when all others have headed home, since September.

Saoirse Jordan and Gabriella Coughlan were ready with their eclipse glasses at Blackrock Castle Observatory for a special celestial event. Picture: Chani Anderson

“The buzz around our school and the community has been fantastic,” he added. “The support from the school community, local businesses, and our suppliers has been incredible and so appreciated,” Mr Hayes said. “The real goal of showcasing this team’s achievements is to inspire other students to work hard and persevere in achieving their potential and dreams.”

The 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship will be held from May 6 to 14, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, and will feature teams from around the globe.

“It will be an amazing experience where our students will be right in the mix,” concluded Mr Hayes.

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