A spirit of innovation, collaboration, and excellence was on full display as students from the Sacred Heart School Tullamore proudly represented Ireland at the VEX Robotics World Championships 2025 in Dallas, Texas — the first all-female team to be representing Ireland. Culminating in a thrilling week of competition and collaboration, the team was honoured with the coveted Judges Award, a recognition of exceptional design, teamwork, and perseverance.
The Judges’ Award is presented to teams who demonstrate special attributes, exemplary effort and perseverance at the event, but who may not have qualified for other awards. This accolade acknowledges not just technical prowess, but also the values of commitment, innovation, and collaboration — qualities that lie at the heart of both VEX Robotics and the CEIST educational ethos.
The road to Dallas, Texas began many months ago with brainstorming sessions and late evenings in the school’s robotics lab. Led by teachers Ms Aisling Burke and Ms Sindy Meleady the team — comprising students of first- and second-year students— designed, built, and programmed their own robot, navigating challenges in engineering design, coding, mechanical troubleshooting, and project management.
Competing against more than 800 of the top robotics teams from throughout the world, the students faced rigorous matches and interviews with industry professionals. The Judges Award stands as testament not only to their technical achievement but also to their character — their resilience in overcoming setbacks, their ability to adapt in the face of unexpected issues, and their unwavering team spirit.
“It’s hard to describe the feeling of walking into the convention centre and seeing thousands of students from all over the world, each with their own creations and ideas,” said Alice Duffy. “We learned so much — not just about robotics, but about working together, managing pressure, and believing in ourselves.”
Throughout the event, the students served as ambassadors for Ireland, proudly sharing their culture, school values, and educational journey. Their professionalism and friendliness were noted by event organisers, while fellow competitors praised their open approach to sharing ideas and strategies.
In true CEIST spirit, the team demonstrated inclusivity and respect, reflecting the five core values of Catholic education: promoting spiritual and human development, achieving quality in teaching and learning, showing respect for every person, creating community, and being just and responsible.
This experience marks not the end, but a beginning — many team members are already planning new projects and mentoring younger students to continue the robotics programme. The impact of this journey is far-reaching: boosting confidence, sparking interest in STEM careers, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Principal Pauline McKenna shared their pride:
“We are incredibly proud of our students. Their achievement at an international level is a testament to their dedication, and to the incredible support provided by our staff, parents, and wider school community. They’ve inspired us all.”
As, ‘The Steminists’ of the Sacred Heart School Tullamore returns home with the Judges Award in hand, they bring with them a renewed sense of possibility — a reminder of what young minds can achieve when given the tools, trust, and encouragement to innovate.