Secondary School

TC Robotics Club Takes on FRC for the First Time

It all began earlier this year when a group of students approached me with the request:“Sir, we’d like to start a robotics club.” This was something I had always hoped to support, so my immediate response was, “Certainly.” The boys then added with a smile, “We’d really like to do FRC.”

While TC students have previously taken part in LEGO robotics competitions—building smaller robots and programming them to complete specific challenges—the competition they were asking about was on a completely different scale. The FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is considered the Grand Prix of school robotics. It requires teams to design, build, and program a robot around one cubic metre in size, capable of completing set tasks before competing in alliances of three robots against another alliance of three robots. It’s a unique blend of engineering, physics, metalwork, and programming, and the boys were eager to take on the challenge.

This year’s game, REEFSCAPE, had a nautical theme. Teams collected “coral” (large PVC pipe structures) and “algae” (oversized basketball-like balls) to score points. Coral could be placed on different levels of a reef structure for 1–4 points, while algae could be scored in two different zones.

We sourced the necessary parts and set to work building the robot. Constructing the base proved more challenging than expected, and the next stage—designing the top section to collect and deposit coral—was even tougher. We opted to use a pre-designed “superstructure” that allowed us to focus on coral rather than algae. Once the frame was complete, we installed the electronics and began programming. The excitement was huge when the robot successfully zoomed around the Senior Quad for the first time.

The final step was building the bumpers, which protect both our robot and others during matches. We only just finished them on the Friday of competition weekend—just in time for inspection and a couple of practice runs.

Each match runs for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. The first 15 seconds are autonomous mode, where the robot carries out pre-programmed actions without human control. The remaining time is teleoperated, with a student driver controlling the robot via a PS5 controller. With only two practice runs under our belt, we went into the Saturday qualification matches with nerves and excitement.

Over Saturday and Sunday morning we competed in seven qualification matches. While we gained invaluable experience, we finished 30th out of 30 teams—an understandably disappointing result.

However, FRC playoffs bring fresh opportunity. Alliances of three teams are formed by the top eight ranked teams. After the first round of selections, the process reverses for the third pick. Only 24 of the 30 teams progress, so we knew the odds were against us. To our delight, we were chosen by the 4th-ranked alliance!

In our first playoff, we worked brilliantly with our partners to defeat the 5th alliance 92–49. Our next match was against the top alliance. We had early success in autonomous mode, but a breakdown in one of our partner robots left us short, and we went down 109–48. In our final chance, we fought hard against Alliance 6, but narrowly lost 59–57.

Despite not advancing further, the boys far exceeded expectations. Their persistence, teamwork, and creativity made me incredibly proud. We owe a big thank you to Mr Bolton and Mr van Dongen for their support during the competition, as well as to the Design & Technology staff for their help with construction and engineering. We are also grateful to the College Leadership Team for backing this exciting project.

A special mention goes to Alphons Joseph, who was the driving force behind the TC Robotics Club’s inaugural FRC campaign. As team captain and lead programmer, Alphons attended every after-school session and truly led from the front.

The 2025 FRC Team (Team 9975 - Trinity Trinomials) consisted of:

• Lachlan Bell (10.4)
• Larston Dharma (10.2)
• Lucas Fuge (10.3)
• Daniel Gandy (10.2)
• James Ho (10.5)
• Albert Joseph (Captain)
• Alphons Joseph (8.3)
• Michael Masbate (9.1)
• Joel Murabito (9.4)
• Alex Newsom (10.4)
• Felix Palmer (10.2)
• Oliver Parsons (10.6)
• Lachlan Reid (10.5)
• Ethan Zappavigna (10.2)

This is only the beginning for the TC Robotics Club. The team is already looking ahead to the 2026 season and brainstorming improvements for next year’s robot.

We welcome all students to get involved! The TC Robotics Club meets after school on Wednesdays and Thursdays in Room A116. Younger students work with LEGO EV3 robots in preparation for competitions, while senior students focus on building for FRC.

Mr Peter Harper

Information Technology Teacher

Angelico Art Exhibition - Award Winners

The Angelico Art Exhibition—named after Blessed Fra Angelico, the patron of artists—is a significant event on the Catholic School Art Calendar. It offers a valuable public platform for Catholic school students across Western Australia to showcase their creative talent. 

Congratulations to the following students who received art awards during the Angelico Art Exhibition opening on Monday night. This a fantastic achievement and a testament to their creativity, talent, and hard work:

• Jake Ieraci - 2nd Overall Prize (Year 12)
• Brendan Rigby - Fra Angelico Award Highly Commended (Year 12)
• James Berinson - Highly Commended (Year 10)

Congratulations to these students who also had their artwork showcased in this exhibition: 

• Xavier Celedin (11.6)
• Aidan Tyson (8.1)
• Liam Fitzpatrick (8.4)
• Gabriel Little (8.2)
• Christian Fisicchia (8.6)
• Luca Marocchi (8.7)
• Michael Russo (8.6)
• Flynn Gant (8.2)
• Hudson Rodda (8.3)
• Jaxon Gangemi (8.5)
• Eshaan Brar (8.2)
• Jacob Liew (8.1)

• Rhys Mathieson (8.3)

   

We encourage everyone to visit the exhibition and support our students by voting in the People’s Choice Award. Details are as follows:

Venue: Forrest Centre, 221 St Georges Terrace, Perth

Exhibition Dates and Times: Open until Friday, 29 August, weekdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm

Additional Viewing: Saturday, 23 August, from 1:30pm to 3:00pm – an open session for students, families, and the wider community.

Ms Rita Basilio

Art Coordinator

Cardboard Donations Required

The art department is seeking donations of cardboard for an art project. Please deliver to the art department in cultural centre. Thank you. 

Year 12 Families - Graduation Day Bookings

Deadline: Friday, 19 September

Thank you to those Year 12 families that have registered their attendance for the on-site Graduation Celebrations on Thursday 23 October, and who have purchased tickets for the Graduation Dinner.

For those who are yet to do so, please complete your bookings for both parts of the day by clicking the buttons below. Both tasks are due for completion by Friday 19 September.

Year 7 Step-A-Thon Fundraiser

On Friday, 19 September, Year 7 students will fundraise for Br Ollie’s 'Wheelchairs for Kids' by completing a Step-A-Thon at the Western Australian Cricket Ground. Help encourage the students to complete as many steps as possible in approximately 20 minutes by sponsoring today!