Hero photograph
 
Photo by Teresa Robertson

Old Boys' of King's

Teresa Robertson —

Recognised as one of King’s High School’s outstanding achievers in 1995.

Nicholas James Lee (Attended King’s High School from 1991 to 1995).  He has won the 2021 Brisbane Marathon and completed his Doctorate in Philosophy.

Nicholas was a School Prefect in 1995. He received a Sports Blue in Athletics, Harriers, Cricket and Football. He was a nominee for the prestigious Salter Trophy for the Schools’ top sportsperson and he was a winner of the prize for ‘All-round Merit’. He also received the Mayhew Memorial Prize for History and an Excellence Prize in five subjects. 

Nicholas had some amazing successes in sporting success while at King’s:

  • He was the NZ Secondary School Junior Cross-Country Champion in 1993
  • He won the 400 Metre, Junior Silver Medal, at 1993 NZ Secondary School Champs and the 800 Metre Senior Silver Medal at 1995 NZ Secondary School Champs 
  • He was first in the Senior race at the Otago/ Southland Cross Country championships. In the 1995 National Cross-Country Championships senior U19 ½ race and finished 6th and was selected for the NZ Schools Team. He was trained by Old Boy Lyn Rayner
  • Nicholas was a top footballer playing for the King’s First Football XI and for Otago Representative Football sides. He was also included in the NZ training squad at the U16 level
  • Nicholas played Cricket for the King’s First XI and for Otago representative sides until under 18 as well.

On leaving school Nicholas put Football and Cricket to one side and focused on running. In 1996 he became the NZ 800 Metre under 18 Champion. Nicholas started at Otago University in 1996 graduating with an Honours Degree in Philosophy in 1999.

He lived in Sydney for a few years before fulfilling a long-time dream to experience Russia, where he lived and taught English for a couple of years (2003-2004). He became very ill in Russia and returned to NZ to recover.

In 2005 he completed a Diploma of Teaching (Secondary Education) at Dunedin College of Education before moving to London and teaching in Harrow for five years. With his wife and first child, he returned to Dunedin in 2012 to teach at Columba College before moving to Brisbane in 2013. He is currently teaching Philosophy and Reason at St Joseph’s, Nudgee College in Brisbane and has just completed his Doctorate thesis (Philosophy).

Nicholas returned to competitive running in 2015, trying to find time to run when he could balance three kids, teaching, his doctorate and training. His win in the 2021 Brisbane Marathon this year was only his 5th Marathon to date. It's an honour to celebrate Old Boys'.