- Christel House South Africa excelled in the World Robot Olympiad Western Cape competition, securing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in various categories.
- The event saw participation from 330 learners across the Cape, with Christel House showcasing their resilience and determination.
- Winning teams will advance to the national competition and potentially represent South Africa internationally.
With resilience and determination, learners from Christel House South Africa excelled in the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) Western Cape South leg of the competition held at the school on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 July.
Christel House SA teams walked away with first and third place in the Explorer Prime category and second place in the Robo Mission Senior category that saw a record-breaking 330 learners across the Cape compete.
The schools that participated included Floreat Primary, Silverstream Primary, Fish Hoek Primary, Spine Road High and Paarl Boys High School, to name a few.
This year, learners across 95 countries participated in the WRO which incorporates science, technology, education and robotics to develop creativity and problem-solving skills through challenging robotics competitions.
WRO Western Cape chair Cedric Esterhuizen said the learners’ “remarkable achievement” was a reflection of their resilience and determination.
“It is with pride that we see them embrace these opportunities, demonstrating that they don’t only compete but thrive in spaces often reserved for the advantaged,” he said.
Potential
The school aims to ensure that every learner, regardless of their background, can reach their fullest potential and excel in “today’s digital world”, he added.
“At Christel House SA, we are dedicated to closing the digital divide for our (learners) who navigate extreme poverty and social challenges by providing access to technology and fostering digital inclusion.”
Winning teams in the regional competition will go on to compete nationally and then have a chance to be invited to represent South Africa at the WRO international tournament in Turkey. ’
School winners Raynen Bosch and Gideon Moodley have big dreams. Bosch wants to become an architect, while Moodley aspires to be an engineer.
“We are so excited about our win and the chance to compete in Gauteng. It’s our first time leaving Cape Town, so it’s going to be an amazing experience for us.”
The school started its robotics programme in 2017. Since then, the programme has grown significantly with 15 teams who entered the contest this year.
Scholarships
Christel House SA is a non-profit school that offers no-fee scholarships to learners from some of the poorest neighbourhoods and supports them from Grade RR to Grade 12 and five years post-matric.
By equipping learners in disadvantaged communities with the tools and skills needed to navigate the digital landscape, they are enabling graduates to pursue higher education and career opportunities.
Christel House SA chief academic officer Carol Kriel said learners are consistently rising above adversity. “I am extremely proud of our (learners) achievements at the World Robot Olympiad. However, what truly stands out is their remarkable resilience, determination, and sportsmanship,” she said.
“Our (learners), who encounter significant challenges every day because of the communities they reside in, consistently rise above adversity. Their accomplishments at this event not only highlight their skill but also demonstrate their ability to compete on equal footing with (learners) from more privileged backgrounds.”
