THEY'VE DONE IT: Laois school wins top award at World Championships
Principal Rory Walsh with some of the RNS Robotics team at the Vex Robotics World Championships in the USA
THEY’VE DONE IT!
A Laois primary school team have won a top award at the Vex Robotics World Championships in the USA.
RNS Robotics from Rosenallis NS have scaled a mountain and touched greatness, winning the Engineering Division’s Judges Award at the event in St Louis, Missouri.
They are one of only five in the entire competition of 420 teams to win such an award, having displayed outstanding energy and drive across three days of international competition.
Announcing the fantastic news on social media tonight, Rosenallis NS said: ‘They are blown away and safe to say are on cloud nine. Many thanks to all for their support this week in St Louis. The team will be celebrating hard in true RNS fashion long into the evening.’
The 11-strong RNS Robotics team jetted off on an early flight last Saturday, after weeks of hectic fundraising and preparation. The national champions, aged from nine to 12, appeared on RTÉ News programmes last week and also received a wonderful letter from President Catherine Connolly, in which she warmly commended the team and wished them well.
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 was able to send the 11 senior pupils and one parent/guardian per child to the US event.
It is a fantastic end to an amazing week for team members Ciara Dunphy, Luke Somers, Ollie McEvoy, Katie Murphy, Grace Murphy, David Moyles, Aisling Guinan, Bobbie Friel, Hannah Ormonde, David Goodwin,and Lauren Kenny, who were joined at the championships by principal Rory Walsh, teacher Aaron Mackessy and Laois County Council STEM Officer Seanie Morris.
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.’
