Human Powered Vehicle Program (Pedal Prix)
Pedal Prix is the racing of human-powered, three-wheel recumbent trikes where members of a team work together under race conditions. Pembroke has participated in Pedal Prix since its inception in 1985, with many keen and dedicated Pembroke Pedal Prix teams taking out state and national competitions over the decades.
Our Pedal Prix Program is open to students in Years 7 to 12. The annual Pedal Prix series includes races at various locations around South Australia and in Busselton, Western Australia.
Collaboration and teamwork flow as Pedal Prix members attend weekly build sessions throughout the year inside Pembroke's cutting-edge Shipsters Road Building. Our students conceptualise, design, build and paint their Pedal Prix cars, developing an excellent understanding of engineering and mechanics relating to vehicle performance.
VEX Robotics
VEX is recognised as the world's largest and fastest-growing robotics competition, and Pembroke consistently ranks among the best school teams on the planet.
Robotics is a popular co-curricular activity at Pembroke that engages students’ collaboration skills and problem-solving abilities in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and more. VEX Robotics is offered across Years 6 to 12, with students working on VEX robots, fabrication of components and programming using various programming languages.
In recent years, Pembroke students have represented the School with pride and distinction at state, national and international championships, even crowned as one of the top 32 teams in the world.
FIRST Robotics
Pembroke became the only school in South Australia with a FIRST Robotics Competition team: Team Koalafied.
Combining the excitement of competition with the rigours of science, technology and business, FIRST Robotics is regarded by many as the ultimate sport for the mind. It is open to students from Years 7 to 12, with participants describing it as 'the hardest fun you’ll ever have'.
Under strict rules, limited time and resources, teams are challenged to raise funds, design a team brand, run marketing and media campaigns, and build and program industrial-size robots to play a difficult field game against like-minded competitors. Volunteer mentors including old scholars lend their time and talents to guide each team, and every season ends with a thrilling FIRST Robotics Championship.
In 2025, Team Koalafied shone on the international stage at the FIRST Robotics Competition World Championships in Houston, Texas, competing alongside the best of the best.
