After months of preparation, the team competed against a field of 10 to 16 year olds from across the region at the iAero centre in Yeovil. Despite competing against several independent and private schools with significantly more resources and dedicated time, our students proved that hard work and teamwork can give them a great edge.

This year’s theme centered on an archaeological dig. To succeed, the team had to master multiple disciplines:

Engineering & Robotics: Designing and building a custom robot from the ground up.

Programming: Coding the robot to autonomously navigate complex mission sets.

Research & Presentation: Delivering two formal presentations - one justifying their robot’s design and another exploring the vital role of robotics in modern archaeology.

The judging process was notoriously gruelling, yet our students shone under the pressure. They were articulate, knowledgeable, and professional, defending their design choices with confidence.

Beyond the technical skills, their character was what truly set them apart. As some of the older competitors, they acted as exceptional role models for the younger students, offering support and encouragement to other teams. They even brought a sense of fun to the high-stakes environment, joining in a spontaneous conga line that took over the venue!

The team’s hard work was rewarded with two major achievements:

1. Robot Performance Winners: They dominated the field to win the robot section of the tournament.

2. The Judges’ Award: This prestigious trophy was awarded to the team for their overall excellence, collaboration, and sportsmanship.

Every single one of the six students played a vital role in this success. Seeing Colfox stand toe-to-toe with, and often outshine, private institutions was a moment of immense pride. They represented the school with maturity, kindness, and technical brilliance.                                    

Report by Lowri David, STEM Lead at the Sir John Colfox Academy and National Space Academy Space Advocate.