Northlands Primary School's 'Smooth Sailors' excel in international robotics competition
"Their recognition at an international level speaks volumes of their dedication, humility, and ability to lead with purpose." - Alistair Naidu, the school's principal.
Northlands Primary School's Smooth Sailors and their coaches.
Image: Supplied
Northlands Primary School continues to fly the flag high with its standout team, Smooth Sailors, achieving top honour at the Open Africa Championship of the First Lego League.
The event, held recently in Cape Town, brought together more than 80 elite teams from 42 countries, representing the best in global innovation and robotics education.
Among the 106 teams invited globally, the Smooth Sailors were the highest-ranked South African squad, earning second place in the “Core Values” category.
Their performance cements their position as a frontrunner in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and innovation.
Last December, the team placed first in the country for the same category at Johannesburg’s Sci-Bono Discovery Centre.
“This event has had a phenomenal impact on our school, our coaches, and the learners involved,” said Shamilla Subramanien, the coding and robotics team mentor.
“The exchange of knowledge across borders and generations fostered a spirit of unity and innovation that is critical to shaping future-ready leaders. I am elated with the results and immensely proud of what our children have accomplished.”
The first Lego League, now in its third year at Northlands Primary, has evolved into a cornerstone of the school’s academic and extracurricular culture. Beyond robotics, it fosters workplace-critical skills, including teamwork, collaboration, problem-solving, and conflict resolution traits.
Alistair Naidu, the school's principal, praised the team’s achievement.
He said Smooth Sailors have not only made them proud as a school, but also as a country.
"Their recognition at an international level speaks volumes of their dedication, humility, and ability to lead with purpose. This is the kind of global excellence we are cultivating at Northlands,” said Naidu.
The championship was also a cultural experience, exposing pupils to global peers, diverse traditions, and a rich tapestry of languages. For many pupils, this was the first time they engaged with teams who spoke little or no English, which made every interaction a creative and collaborative interaction.
Steven Kent, the team lead and coach, said the First Lego League was more than just coding. It was a gateway to lifelong learning.
"We are building a generation that is curious, empathetic, and eager to solve real-world challenges. Smooth Sailors have shown that South African youth can compete with the world’s best and excel.”
Fellow mentor and coach, Daryn Mahabeer, added: “This achievement is not just a trophy, it’s a marker of growth, unity, and resilience. We are witnessing the evolution of young minds who are thinking beyond boundaries, and we are deeply honoured to be part of that journey.”
Northlands Primary has become a STEM leader in Durban North and across KwaZulu-Natal, thanks to its groundbreaking work through the First Lego League. In two years, the school has set a new standard for innovation in primary education, using coding and robotics to equip pupils with future-ready skills and earning recognition at regional, national, and international levels.