Old Boys connections - Jim Espie '38 and John Kernohan '39
Monday, 22 April 2024
It has been 85 years since James (Jim) Espie '38 (pictured left) and John Kernohan '39 set foot inside the Great Hall at Auckland Grammar School. However, the memories still remain strong for both gentlemen, as John recalls with great affection. "I have no negative memories of my time at Grammar. My fondest memories were when [former Headmaster] Henry Cooper granted me my representative badge as a member of the 1st XI Hockey team in 1943, and when I was made a School Prefect in 1944.”

Jim takes pride in the fact that he was in the top class. "My fondest memory of my time at Grammar would be an overall satisfaction with the fact that I was an A Form student for 3 years and was a part of the reputation upheld by the Grammar community."

Things have certainly changed for Jim and John from their days as students in the early 1940s. The fives courts have been replaced by the current English block (although students still play handball during interval and lunchtime) and the roll of students continues to grow each year, yet the same rigorous academic standards remains the same.

The senior leadership has also upheld these same traditions, with just 11 Headmasters over its 155 years. "The School has a tradition of leadership and there is no reason why this cannot be maintained by recognising its distinguished past whilst being willing to move with the times."

Despite eight decades having passed since their time as students, Jim and John regularly travel back to campus each year. One of these trips is for the annual Augusta Fellowship Luncheon in October, of which Jim and John are both members. The Augusta Fellowship is the School's bequest society for Old Boys and members of the community who leave a gift of money or property in their will, an affirmation that future generations of students will be able to reach their potential.

By supporting the School this way, Jim and John know that their legacy will continue for many years, but the annual event also allows Jim and John to connect with like-minded people. "I value my involvement with the Augusta Fellowship as providing me with an opportunity to mix with Old Boys of my generation whilst contributing to a cause that enables Grammar to recognise deserving teachers," Jim told us.

In addition to being a member of the Augusta Fellowship, Jim also plays an integral role in proofreading Ad Augusta, the School's biannual magazine, a role which he has undertaken with aplomb for the past six years. In his own words, proofreading might be a small part of the process, but it is an important step nonetheless.

"The magazine maintains a high standard that befits the reputation of our fine School. Sloppy practices have no role in this important method of keeping students, families, teachers, governing bodies and Old Boys in touch with one another. In my opinion it should be maintained in the future with care being taken to ensure that its high reputation is maintained."

Being an Old Boy of Auckland Grammar School means being able to share the "extremely high reputation that Grammar portrays", and both Jim and John are extremely proud of their alma mater. "I am extremely happy to be an Old Boy of Auckland Grammar School because of the high standards that the School sets and follows," said Jim.

John was in complete agreement, especially as two further generations of Kernohan men followed in his footsteps. "I am certainly proud to have been a Grammar boy and even prouder that my two sons Duncan ’71 and Gregory ‘76 and my four grandsons (Chris ’08, Jonathan ’08, James ’14 and Luke ’15) are also Grammar men. We usually attend the annual Old Boys Dinner where many generations of old boys mix in harmony with each other."

Auckland Grammar School has maintained its reputation as one of the leaders in 'pre-eminence in boys' secondary education', and those standards continue today as they did back in 1938. As the newest Form 3 cohort (the class of 2024) start their second term as young men of the School, Jim had some sound advice.

"Students who may have been assigned to lower forms should not be discouraged, as there have been many cases of boys gaining higher recognition through applying themselves to the Grammar approach to learning." John's advice was more direct. "The education system we have in New Zealand gives every boy a great start in life. An Auckland Grammar School education gives a boy an even better start. So, make sure you do not miss a single day!"