After months of meticulous planning, refining, and engineering, Sunshine Coast Grammar School’s Year 12 Robotics Team has claimed international glory, taking out top honours at the FIRST Tech Challenge Asia Pacific Open Championships in Sydney.
The four-member team, aptly named the Iron Lions, competed against elite robotics teams from around the world, including those from China, Dubai, India, South Korea, the United States, and New Zealand — and emerged as overall champions. Not only did they secure the title of Winning Alliance Captain, but they also received the prestigious FIRST Inspire Award, the highest accolade presented at the event.
The Inspire Award recognises the team that best embodies the spirit of the competition — rewarding excellence not just in robot design and performance, but also in teamwork and community outreach. To earn this honour, Grammar’s Robotics Team leaned into their strengths across coding, computer-aided design and engineering, all while displaying outstanding gracious professionalism throughout the multi-day event.
“The team demonstrated extraordinary creativity, resilience, and technical mastery. We are thrilled to watch them continue to evolve and represent Grammar with pride,” said Mr Justin Pembroke, Head of Digital Innovation at Sunshine Coast Grammar School.
The story of the Sunshine Coast Grammar Robotics team
The journey to victory began 12 months earlier. After placing second at the National competition in November 2024, the Iron Lions set their sights on the Asia Pacific stage. Under the direction of Mr Pembroke and Mrs Brenda Gahan, Head of Extended Learning, the team enhanced their existing robot to meet the increased demands of the international arena.
The students refined key technical systems — boosting motor speeds, upgrading moving components, and reducing the robot’s weight by 5kg through the use of composite materials. These improvements delivered a faster, more robust machine capable of tackling complex challenges with surgical precision. The team remained undefeated in the playoffs, ultimately winning 14 of the 15 matches played across the competition.
The team’s collaborative mindset, gracious professionalism and strategic gameplay were evident throughout the competition, particularly during the alliance selection process. Their decision to partner with India’s Team Kryptonite proved successful, culminating in a championship win.
“The students demonstrated maturity, self-direction and an incredible work ethic throughout the season,” said Mrs Gahan.
The school’s commitment to nurturing the team has been instrumental in their journey, providing access to mentors, local industry connections and robotics specialists, as well as allocating the resources for experimentation and refinement.
Having collaborated for over 12 months, the team capped off an extraordinary season with international success and is already focused on next season, with a goal to compete in the World Championships in 2026.
Sunshine Coast Grammar School Robotics Team crowned Asia Pacific Champions
Emerging Technologies Program at Grammar
The Robotics Team was created through Grammar’s Emerging Technologies program — a cutting-edge technology co-curricular group designed to shape industry-ready students from Year 4 to 12.
The Emerging Technology Co-Curricular Groups offer students hands-on opportunities to explore and innovate in fields such as robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, 3D modelling, and digital design. These dynamic clubs foster creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork, allowing students to develop real-world skills while preparing for the future of technology. Whether building a robot, creating an app, or exploring cutting-edge tech trends, these groups inspire curiosity and empower students to become the tech leaders of tomorrow.
Student teams participate in a variety of local, national, and international competitions. And it’s not just the Iron Lions achieving success on the field. 38 primary and secondary students competed in both the FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge, with three teams advancing to National Championships.
Emerging Technologies is just one of 50 co-curricular activities offered at Sunshine Coast Grammar School.
“At Grammar, we see our extensive co-curricular programs as a real point of difference. No longer is school just about what happens within the four walls of the classroom. Co-curricular opportunities play such a pivotal role in our school and complement the great work that happens
in our classrooms,” said Mark Henricks, Dean of Co-curriculum, Sunshine Coast Grammar School.
The extensive range of co-curricular activities offered by Grammar provides students with a variety of experiences that contribute to their overall development. Confidence, resilience, social skills, empathy and compassion are all developed through these programs. Importantly, students have the chance to discover and immerse themselves in activities they are passionate about, and like-minded students have the opportunity to connect and ‘find their tribe’.
Co-curriculars also allow parents to connect, with these programs becoming one of the key vehicles through which Grammar builds community in the school. “Whether it is through sport, music and creative industries, debating, chess, or emerging technologies, Grammar prides itself on its holistic approach to education,” added Mr Henricks.
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