This November will mark 38 years since the tragic death of young alumnus Nicholas Jespersen – but it also means in equal year measures, his memory has been celebrated in an annual award.

Nicholas was a 16-year-old boarder in Riddet House when he and fellow housemates went down to the Waikato River on the St. Peter’s farm for a night out of camping, approved by their Housemaster. A sweltering day, the boys decided to go for a swim in the river before setting up camp. Nicholas got in trouble in the water and despite the efforts of his friends who pulled him ashore, he had drowned.

Nicholas was in his first year of school, with little confidence but with a strong will to take part and succeed, to give anything a go.

His death had a huge impact on the school community, but of course, was a deeply tragic loss to his father Graeme, and family, as their only son.

A funeral for Nicholas was held in the school Chapel. Despite the immense shock and grief, Mr Jespersen says he decided not to be bitter but to do something to honour Nicholas and recognise like-minded students in years to come. Within just weeks he wrote to the Headmaster proposing a Nicholas Jespersen Memorial Award to be presented at prizegiving each year.

He wrote: “Your school was the making of my son. Had he lived, there is no doubt in my mind that he would have looked back with pride on the days he spent at St. Peter’s School.

“Although Nicholas is no longer with us, he will always be remembered, as will the part your school played in his short and active life.”

Just a few weeks later the very first Nicholas Jespersen Award was presented to a student - $1000 cash prize and a book. The trophy had yet to be produced but followed. In 2021 the Jespersen Family increased the memorial award to $2100.

Master carver Warren Wilson produced the trophy which today sits with pride of place in the school’s main reception.

The trophy has been carved to represent the arms and hands of a young person who has the world and its challenges firmly within grasp. The base is marble, the sphere greenstone and the wood kauri. It contains the names of students who have received the award on plaques.

Mr Jespersen’s wish was for the award to be presented to the “most improved fifth former” (Year 11 student) who has displayed:

·         A quiet but keen example in both school work and genuine
friendship towards other students

·         Commonsense

·         Even temperament

·         Initiative

·         An appreciation for knowledge

·         Other good citizenship qualities

·         Involvement in outdoor pursuits/cultural activities.

Almost every year since its inception, Graeme and Suzanne Jespersen have travelled from Auckland, where they run a family legal firm, to school to present the award.

Deputy Principal Sara Loughnane, who oversees prizegivings, says they are a remarkable part of not only the awards season but the whole St. Peter’s community.

“The dedication to keeping Nicholas’s memory alive while recognising and rewarding current students over so many years is just so special and so valued.”

• 2023 recipient Nick Greaney continues to show those attributes that saw him awarded the prize. He is the captain of the 1stXI cricket team, just this last weekend notching up 50 games for the team, not a common feat. He is a quiet and assured leader of the team he joined as a Year 10 student. We wish Nick all the best for the season and for his last year at St. Peter's.

Nicholas Jespersen Memorial Trophy recipients:

1986   Tony McCappin

1987   Cameron Jones

1988   Hamish Edwards

1989   JD Swanson

1990   Grant Olsen 

1991    Lyal Glover; Grant Henderson

1992   Barry Yan

1993   Leigh Morgan; Jeremy Leineweber

1994   Jason Gray

1995   Matthew Carter

1996   Peter van Dongen

1997   Shane Armstrong

1998   Moira Sugrue

1999   Steven Abbott

2000  Rochelle Wolvers

2001   Joshua Clarke

2002  Andrew MacDonald

2003  Anoushka Ofsoski

2004  Sarah Griffin

2005  David Remmerswaal

2006  Kadin Niederer

2007  Harding Howe

2008  Elizabeth McLean

2009  Joanne Hobern

2010   Eloise Dowse

2011    David Motutere

2012   Rangimarie Wirihana-Tawake

2013   Zane Crosswell

2014   Georgia Grenfell

2015   Hannah Ellen

2016   Keruma Gibson

2017   Jonathan Khalil

2018   Sophie Waddell

2019   Grace McGirr; Brodie Leef

2020  Amisha Sadani

2021   Sophia Westenberg

2022   Rachel Koshy

2023   Nick Greaney

2024 To be announced at junior prizegiving, December.

Were you one of these winners? We'd love to connect and hear what you've been up to. alumni@stpeters.school.nz