Laois children on RTÉ as they jet off to USA
The RNS Robotics team will jet off to the USA this Saturday, to compete in the world championships. Image: Rosenallis NS
PRESIDENT Catherine Connolly has sent a personal letter to a Laois primary school robotics team, as they set off to represent Ireland in the USA this weekend.
The RNS Robotics group from Rosenallis NS will jet off on an early flight tomorrow morning, after a hectic week when they continued to make headlines.
The national champions, aged from nine to 12, appeared on RTÉ News programmes today, following an interview with midlands correspondent Sinéad Hussey recorded earlier this week.
However, what the school described as the was a letter from President Connolly, in which she warmly commended the team and wished them well.
In a letter that will be framed and proudly displayed at Rosenallis NS, President Connolly wrote: ‘You have already demonstrated exceptional creativity, teamwork and technical skill in achieving the distinction of winning the All-Ireland Final. Your success at national level is a testament to your perseverance, collaboration and problem-solving abilities.
'To represent Ireland on the world stage is a remarkable honour. In the days ahead, I hope that you take great pride in your achievement and embrace fully the experience of competing alongside other young people from across the globe.
‘May I also take the opportunity to acknowledge the support of your families, teachers and the wider school community, whose encouragement has been central to this journey.’
After receiving President Connolly’s letter on 21 April, school management said on social media: ‘We are beyond honoured as a school to receive such words of recognition and encouragement, indeed.’
Rosenallis NS made history as the first Leinster school to be crowned All Ireland champions in the VEX national robotics competition in February, beating large Dublin schools and qualifying for the world finals.
Within just 10 days, a series of fundraisers collected €100,000 for the historic trip, reflecting the extraordinary generosity of the Rosenallis and Laois communities. The final total reached over €124,000.
Thanks to the fundraisers, the small four-teacher school can send 11 senior pupils and one guardian per child to the US event.
The team received a visit and blessing from Fr Tom Walshe PP, ahead of the long but exciting journey to the Vex Robotics World Championships in St Louis, Missouri.
In a final message this afternoon, school principal Rory Walsh and staff said the entire experience has been ‘a testimony to the power of community, belief in the people of tomorrow and a lesson in believing you can achieve anything, if you back yourself and lean on your friends’.
They declared: ‘’Hon the village and let’s go have some fun!’
