On Thursday 26 May, Cannons Creek High School entered its very first in-person Inspire Drone League, hosted by Inspire Africa. This event was held at Eversdal Primary, and the Cannons Creek team (Robert Kightley, Rebecca White, Kendra Gladwin, Grace Wilkins, and Juan Coetzee) competed against the host school, Curro Durbanville, and Curro Foreshore.

Each pupil’s individual time, as well as the team time was recorded as they navigated their drone through the course. Pupils were also exposed to the racing drones using a simulator.

Cannons Creek will be one of the 25 schools across South Africa to incorporate the Drone Coding Programme as part of their STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) curriculum for 2023.

Seen here are, back: Mrs Louise Nivison (IT Integrator), Robert Kightley, and Juan Coetzee.
Front: Kendra Gladwin, Rebecca White, and Grace Wilkins.

Comments from the pupils:

• “It was very exciting and fun. It was a bit hard to get used to the drones when I first started but then I got used to it and it was really fun. It was a nice bonding experience with my friends ‘cos we were doing something we all liked.” – Grace Wilkins, Grade 8
• “It was a very fun new experience, not something we’d usually do. I really enjoyed it and was glad I could go.” – Juan Coetzee, Grade 8
• “It was really fun. I had fun trying to get the drone through the hoops.” – Kendra Gladwin, Grade 7
• “It was a really good experience. It was really fun to play around with drones even when we weren’t racing, just to try them out. The instructors were really nice and very helpful when we needed them to teach us how to use the drones.” – Rebecca White, Grade 7
• “I’m excited to see Drones coming to Cannons. It’s going to be different. It was a good opportunity to participate in the Drone League, not just spectate. It was very enjoyable. Everyone was very welcoming and supportive. I’ve been a ‘drone nerd’ for a while so I was really looking forward to the event.” – Robert Kightley, Grade 8