Three Prestigious Awards Secured and a Ticket to the World Championships in Dallas, USA
Kinsale Community School once again proved its prowess in STEM education at the VEX Robotics Irish Nationals held at Munster Technological University (MTU) on February 25th. The school’s Transition Year students clinched three top accolades: the Excellence Award, Tournament Champions Award, and Judges Award, solidifying their place at the VEX Robotics World Championships in Dallas, USA, from May 6th to 8th.
Competing against 26 elite teams from across Ireland, Kinsale's students showcased exceptional skills, strategic thinking, and teamwork, securing their spot on the global stage. The VEX Robotics competition, recognised as the largest robotics competition worldwide, featured this year’s challenge, High Stakes, which demands engineering ingenuity and strategic gameplay.
In High Stakes, two red and two blue teams collaborate to score rings on mobile goals during two-minute matches. The competition starts with a 15-second Autonomous period, programmed by students using either block or Python code, followed by the Driver Control period, which requires precision, strategy, and seamless teamwork.
Kinsale Community School has built a remarkable reputation in STEM education, consistently achieving top awards at the VEX Robotics Nationals for the past seven years. As competition intensifies each year, the school continues to rise to the challenge, driven by passion, dedication, and a supportive educational environment.
Eddie Farren, ICT Coordinator at Kinsale Community School, reflected on the team’s achievement, “The competition is incredibly tough, with Kinsale teams forming alliances with strong teams from all over Ireland. The finals are always thrilling, and the students gain invaluable experience from participating. It’s a privilege to witness their growth each year.”
Principal Fergal McCarthy expressed his pride in the students' success: “We are thrilled that Kinsale Community School has once again qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas. Our students are passionate about robotics, and their dedication has made us the most successful school in Ireland in this field. Special thanks to my colleagues, Niamh Hay and Eddie Farren, for their unwavering support and commitment to our students’ development.”
Deputy Principal Claire Sheehan praised the TY VEX Robotics team. She said, "Their dedication, skill, and ability to compete at the highest level year after year is truly admirable. Now, as they prepare to represent Ireland at the VEX Robotics World Finals in Dallas, they continue to inspire those around them, including the local primary schools they engage with & the whole student body in KCS. This achievement will bring huge benefits to our TY students, offering them first-hand exposure to world-class robotics competitions – learning from the best on a global stage, inspiration and motivation, mentorship opportunities – gaining insights, skills, and guidance from experienced competitors and developing an even stronger robotics culture in the school. Best of luck in Dallas – we are all cheering you on"
The Road to Dallas: Preparing for Global Competition
Kinsale Community School’s VEX Robotics teams are now preparing to compete against 600 of the best teams worldwide at the World Championships in Dallas. Students, teachers, and parents are united in their excitement and are actively organising fundraising initiatives to support the team’s journey.
This victory is a testament not only to the students’ talent and hard work but also to Kinsale Community School’s commitment to nurturing innovation, teamwork, and strategic thinking in robotics.
The school community rallies the students as they embark on this exciting journey. For more information or to support the team’s participation in the World Championships, please contact: niamhhay@kinsalecommunityschool.ie