The St Paul's Collegian Award is presented to Collegians who have made an outstanding contribution to or demonstrated leadership in the community. This year's recipients will be acknowledged at a dinner on 7 June with fellow Collegians and friends. The 2025 awardees are:  

Gary Schofield MNZM (Hall 1970–1974)

Gary's artistic legacy spans multiple disciplines, from painting and sculpture to music and television production. As a renowned artist with works displayed in some of the most significant locations in the world, his work has played an important part in international diplomacy demonstrating the value of art in international relations. 

Gary’s creative contributions have been widely recognised, including his appointment as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2016 for services to the arts and New Zealand–United States relations.

During Gary’s school years, his artistic talent was evident; he was the first student to be commissioned for an original artwork by the school of the Mary Hornsby Music Centre. In addition to this piece, the school proudly displays a bronze bust of former headmaster Reg Hornsby and a large-scale painting of the Student Centre, both pieces by Gary, making his work an important part of our school's landscape. 

His paintings are showcased in prestigious institutions, including Arlington National Cemetery and the Washington National Cathedral in the USA, as well as the Pentagon and the New Zealand Chancery in Washington, D.C. His portraits include prominent figures such as Sir Edmund Hillary.

As a multidisciplinary artist, Gary has composed music, including the Orchestral Song of Sequoia, performed on the U.S. Presidential Yacht, and contributed to educational writing. He created a bronze sculpture of the second Maaori King, Taawhiao with full moko, which now sits in Waikato Museum, gifted by Kīngi Tuheitia on the 150th anniversary of Kirikiriroa. 

Jon Tanner QSM (Hamilton 1973–1977) 

A former New Zealand representative hockey player, a successful coach, and a leading figure in philanthropy, Jon Tanner has dedicated his life to sport, community service, and investment. 

His contributions to hockey in New Zealand are profound, from his time as a Black Sticks player in the early 1980s to his instrumental role in establishing Midlands Hockey and the New Zealand Hockey Foundation. His passion for coaching led him to co-found the Coach for Life Foundation, which empowers and develops youth sports coaches to make a lasting impact on young athletes.

Beyond hockey, Jon is closely involved in governance, serving on multiple boards, including Momentum Waikato, Cure Parkinsons NZ, Hamilton Gardens Development Trust, and the Halberg Trust. His leadership and commitment to fundraising have supported numerous charitable causes, from neurological research to arts and cultural projects such as the Waikato Regional Theatre and the Katherine Mansfield Garden at Hamilton Gardens. In his profession, Jon spent more than 30 years at Craigs Investment Partners, where he is a shareholder and former investment advisor. 

In recognition of his dedication to hockey and community service, Jon was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal in 2013. 

Katie Trigg (Harington | Hall 2014–2016) 

Mezzo-soprano Katie Trigg is a rising star in the world of opera, dedicated to making classical music more accessible and engaging for audiences. Hailing from Ngāhinapōuri, she has already made an impressive impact on the international stage. 

Katie’s talent was recognised early; she was a Sir Edmund Hillary Scholar at the University of Waikato before being accepted into the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she is completing her Master of Music in Opera Studies.

Her recent triumph at the 2024 Lexus Song Quest, New Zealand’s premier opera competition, cements her place among the country’s top young opera singers. She has performed with the Curtis Symphony Orchestra, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, and Opera Philadelphia’s Festival O23. She was also selected as a Wolf Trap Opera Studio Artist, where she covered leading roles in Handel’s Semele.

Beyond performance, Katie is passionate about education. She developed a mentorship programme for high school students to help young musicians prepare for tertiary-level music studies, reflecting her commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent.

Tickets to the awards dinner can be purchased here.