Sporting and Cultural Awards 2022

During the Senior Prizegiving, the Sporting and Cultural Awards recognised those outstanding students who have excelled in their chosen area. Congratulations to the following students on their awards:

Laura Littlejohn — The Margaret Forsyth Trophy and the Cole Cup

• Awarded to Laura Littlejohn as the most outstanding sportswoman of the year and the most outstanding individual sportsperson of the year. Laura is the New Zealand Senior Champion Women’s 50m and 100m freestyle swimmer, and has officially become an AquaBlack representing New Zealand at the World Championships in Hungary. She finished seventh in the World Women’s 4x200m freestyle and holds eight individual New Zealand Secondary School titles. At the New Zealand National Swimming Championships, she gained the Don Stanley Scholarship for the New Zealand Swimming Alumni Emerging Swimmer of the Year. In December 2021, she also attended the World Championships in Abu Dhabi. Laura will be one to watch out for in the future.

Michael Robinson — The Peter Gilbert Trophy

• As the most outstanding sportsman of the year, Michael Robinson wins The Peter Gilbert Trophy. He is a member of the Northern Districts U17 Cricket team and is a regular starting member of the St Paul’s First XV Rugby games, gaining the McCulloch Trophy for the highest points scored in the season. He is also a member of the First XI Cricket team.

Riley Wills — Te Tupuwai “Excellence in Sport”

• Riley Wills takes the Te Tupuwai “Excellence in Sport” award for being the top Maaori sportsperson of the year. Riley was the winner of the U18 single sculls A final at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rowing Championships, and he is the first ever person to win this race two years consecutively. He was also first in the U18 boys' double sculls and the boys’U18 coxed quad sculls. A remarkable feat winning all three U18 sculling events.

U18 Boys' Rowing Quad — The Director of Sport Award

• After winning gold at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rowing Championships, the U18 Boys' Rowing Quad have received the award for the most outstanding team of the year: Levi Davidson, Connor Irving, George Mackintosh, Logan Spencer, and Riley Wills.

Javahn Jones — The Wayne O’Brien Trophy

• Given to Javahn Jones as the student who has shown overall personal success in sport and the contribution towards others reaching their potential. Javahn is a member of the St Paul’s First XI Boys' Hockey team, the Wintec U18 Mens' Hockey Team, is a member of the New Zealand Hockey Pasifika team, a member of the New Zealand Junior Black Sticks programme, a member of the Waikato Secondary Schools First XI Boys' team, and a member of the Midland Intercity Second School Hockey team. He has spent a lot of time coaching younger students inside and outside of school, encouraging them to follow in his passion for Hockey.

Renee Carey — Davies Family Cup

• Awarded to Renee Carey as the best distance runner for the year. Renee placed first in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Championships in the U16 girls' race, first in the St Paul’s cross country, broke the School 3000m record (held since 1995), and gained a place in the New Zealand World Super Sprint Triathlon Championships.

Geoffrey Smith — Supreme Cultural Award

• Geoffrey Smith has been a member of every musical performing group we have at St Paul’s: the Concert Band, Big Band, Choir, Boys' Choir, Chamber Choir, and multiple chamber ensembles on numerous instruments, and frequently writes arrangements to use with different groups in the music department as well as for Fitchett House to use in house music. Geoffrey is a strong musical leader in all the ensembles he is a part of, reliable, dedicated, and passionate. He is always polite, respectful, and a team player who has the respect of other students and teachers. An outstanding asset to the music department at St Paul’s, he was also a part of the Concert Band and Big Band, winning gold at many festivals over the past five years. He was in the Chamber Choir that participated in the Big Sing Cadenza for the past two years.

Tianxiao (Scott) Zhou — The Janet Cole Cup

• Scott Zhou wins The Janet Cole Cup for his outstanding musical talent and contribution to the performing arts. He plays several instruments, including the piano, saxophone, and French horn, playing this in the Waikato Youth Orchestra. He is one of our most versatile musicians playing music of all genres with finesse. He was the rehearsal pianist for the production, has won the house solo competition for Sargood for the past two years, and plays in all our bands. One of our top organists, he plays at Chapel services and special events. As well as being a talented musician, one of his most prominent attributes is his ability to mentor younger students, and he is looked up to by many as a role model. He is often seen teaching younger students how to play the piano.

Emily Jin — Parr Music Trophy

• The Parr Music Trophy is given to Emily Jin, who has shown excellence in orchestral music. She has participated in St Paul’s chamber groups since Year 11 and was a part of the group that made it to the regional finals. She has been part of the production orchestra, attending many rehearsals and being an integral part of the string programme at St Paul’s. She was selected for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra and the NZ Youth Orchestra. She is the concertmaster of Youth Orchestra Waikato for 2022. She received the Associate of Trinity College London in violin performance after passing her exam with Distinction in December 2021. The equivalent to the first year of study toward an undergraduate music degree.

Matthew Chanwai — Rodney Hamel Cup

• The Rodney Hamel Cup is awarded to Matthew Chanwai as the student who has shown the most significant contribution to culture within St Paul’s. In school groups, he has been a member of the St Paul’s Choir and Chamber Choir. He is a member of the organ scholars, was a part of the St Paul’s Piano Quartet, was awarded Highly Commended at the District Round of the NZCT Chamber Music Contest, and was chosen to compete in the Northern Regional Round. In 2022, he was also a part of the St Paul’s Piano Quartet that represented the school at the Waikato District Round of the NZCT Chamber Music Contest. He regularly plays the organ for chapel services and school special events and was a member of the pit orchestra this year for the Wizard of Oz. Outside of school, he has won numerous national and international awards, including coming third at the National Chamber Music Contest and qualifying for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Orchestra for 2022, for the fourth year in a row. In 2022, he was awarded an LTCL Performance Diploma in Cello from Trinity College in London, equivalent to a university’s final year recital of a bachelor’s degree in music.

Cowan Plate

The following students have been involved in the choir programme at St Paul’s and have shown leadership and service to the choir programme over their years here. This year it is awarded to five students:

• William (Max) Fletcher
• Cormac Hodson
• Riley Rolton
• Shanan Saju
• Geoffrey Smith

Riley and Shanan served as the head choristers for 2022, leading the choir to Cadenza for the second year. Max, Cormac, and Geoffrey received the award for going above and beyond in their service to the choir and being outstanding leaders.

Lawsen Harte — The Gummer Gavel

• Lawsen Harte receives The Gummer Gavel for excellence in his debating. His unwavering commitment to debating, selection to the Waikato Development Team, and complete dedication to excellence mean this year’s recipient of the Gummer Gavel is most deserving. He has coached, mentored, and trained the junior debating teams to the semi-final round, in addition to focusing on his Premier Level Debate team. He was recently named Debate Captain for 2023, and there is no doubt he will continue to develop the art and profile of Debating with finesse.

Ryker Yearbury — St Paul’s Aeronautical Trophy

• St Paul’s has a long-standing history with Ozzie James and the Royal Aeronautical Society. The St Paul’s Aeronautical Trophy and scholarship has been given to Ryker Yearbury, who is going on to complete an aeronautical engineering apprenticeship through Air New Zealand.

Blake Freyberg — Dan Bryant Cup

• Blake Freyberg receives the Dan Bryant Cup as get has gained his Gold Duke of Edinburgh award in December. He is passionate and active in the great outdoors. Blake has completed the 21-day Outward Bound course, Spirit of Adventure, and five Hillary Outdoors courses in the past few years.

• View photo album here