​We participated in the Lego Leagues Robotics competition, organized by First Tech Challenge (FTC) Jamaica.  In this competition we competed against younger children from primary schools.  Its been fascinating watching our students come alive in Robotics. They moved from a group of students sitting down with their hands folded, to a team, giving ideas and solving problems.

On June 15th, we attended a practice competition at Jamaica College.  I was asked to look for the teacher of a specific primary school that serves in the same vicinity as our school.  When I found the table, there were10 students sitting around a desk talking quietly.  I was a bit shocked.  They told me that their teacher was not there but would soon return.

While walking off I realized what shocked me.  Several students over the years have come to us from that particular school.  However, we don't get those students.  Truthfully, we don't cater to those students.  We cater to the students that don't keep still.  The ones that  play 'mango war' outside during hurricane Beryl as one student told me.  We serve the students that don't read at the appropriate level for their age, students who are often left unengaged and not catered for.  The students we serve would not be chosen to represent their primary school at a Robotics competition.

Then I came back to our table and I saw Troy.  He was fully engaged and alive around the computer programming the Robot.  I saw Hyeesha making an extension for the Robot to help us with one of the challenges.  I saw those students I described above, now representing their school, fully engaged, responding with enthusiasm and participating.  Then I realized I was in the right place, a school that gives second and even third chances to the children that need it most.

We placed fifth in the Robotics tournament held on June 28th.  At one point we were in third position but made some errors on our final run.
Overall I am proud of our students and excited about what we can achieve next year.