In a testament to the school’s commitment to providing innovative and enriching opportunities for its pupils, Paterson High School launched its Coding and Robotics Club on Tuesday.
And the newly named PHS Innovators Club intends to live by its slogan, “Where creative coding minds unite”.
Deputy principal and maths and science head Kenneth Prins said the club consisted of 18 pupils across grades.
“The staff founder members are myself, Shirmonique Maaka and Michael Simon.
“The learner component founder members are Chaydin Weldschidt and Jayden Jansen.
“Dr Ron Beyers of Young Engineers and Scientists of Africa (YESA) is also a founder member.”
Coding at the school started about seven years ago after Beyers together with stakeholders such as S4 Integration, Standard Bank, Nelson Mandela University, Science Expo, DigitSA, iGEMS, Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, Gift of the Givers, iHUB and the department of education ensured the idea came to fruition.
Principal Rose de Doncker said she believed the pupils would develop valuable skills that would serve them well in the future while they explored the world of robotics, coding and programming.
“To our learners, I want to commend you for showing an interest in joining the club.
“Your enthusiasm and creativity will be the driving force behind its success.
“I have watched you flying drones, coding robots to park, and working with the MicroBit Maps.
“This club will give you the chance to design, build and programme robots and also compete in robotics competitions,” she said.
Grade 11 pupil Chaydin said he and Jayden started pushing for the coding club about a year ago.
“It has been an amazing ride and here we are today.
“With the help of Dr Ron Beyers, we will be having a CARE workshop from April 10 to May 29.
“Second, we will take part in a MicroBit competition. We will compete in the World Robotic Olympiad again this year.”
He said their outreach programme would focus on grassroots introduction to coding offered at St Teresa Primary School, Jayden’s alma mater, and his De Heuwel Primary School in April and May.
“And of course, we have to start at our school before we venture out and we’ll have coding sessions for grade 11 and 10 pupils in April and May to expand our club.
“We will also visit S4 Integration.
“Coding is not only about having fun. It helps us to think.
“Jayden and I do not believe in problems, we believe in solutions.”
HeraldLIVE
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