Long before he represented New Zealand at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games level, Lewis Clareburt was a Scots College student finding his place within a close-knit community. Over his years at the College, he built friendships, discovered new challenges, and developed the confidence to pursue ambitions that would eventually take him around the world.

Having attended Scots from Year 4 to Year 13, Lewis spent much of his childhood on campus. Today, the Olympian and Commonwealth Games competitor has represented New Zealand on the world stage, but when he reflects on his school years, it is the people and opportunities that stand out most. “I have plenty of memories at Scots,” he says. “Most of my experience was filled with positivity and opportunity.”

Rather than one defining moment, Lewis remembers being part of a community that encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones and give everything a go. Some of Lewis’s strongest memories come from experiences that pushed him beyond what felt comfortable at the time. School camps, including the Abel Tasman track and caving adventures in Waitomo, taught him resilience and self-belief from an early age. “Looking back now, Scots taught us to be comfortable being uncomfortable,” he says.

The same applied in the classroom. Lewis recalls delivering speeches every year, despite lacking confidence as a young student. “At the time, I probably didn’t enjoy it, but I’m very thankful for those opportunities. They gave me the foundations for later in life when I had microphones put in front of me after races.”

That willingness to embrace challenge would become invaluable as he progressed through elite sport. Lewis credits much of his growth to the teachers and mentors who encouraged him throughout his time at Scots. Former Prep School Principal Peter Cassie left a lasting impression, regularly celebrating students’ successes and sharing a quote Lewis still remembers today: “If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me.”

He also fondly remembers teacher and cycling coach Paul Norman, whose competitive spirit inspired students to strive for their best. “The lucky thing at Scots is that you’re surrounded by amazing teachers and mentors,” Lewis says. “There were so many people encouraging us and supporting us.” He believes Scots helped him develop qualities that continue to shape his life today: curiosity, confidence, and the willingness to give his best effort.

Lewis’s Olympic dream began in Year 4 while watching the 2008 Olympic Games. “I remember thinking, ‘Wow, that would be cool.’” The dream started to feel achievable after he left school and made significant improvements in the pool, climbing rapidly through the world rankings.

Since then, he has competed alongside some of the world’s best athletes in Olympic Games, World Championships, and Commonwealth Games. Yet his proudest achievements are not necessarily found on a medal tally. “I think my proudest moments have been making hard
decisions,” he says. “Leaving Wellington, moving to Auckland, then moving to Melbourne. Backing yourself and going all in is hard.”

While swimming has taken him around the globe, Lewis remains deeply connected to the Scots community. “One of the coolest things you get from Scots is the people and the connections,” he says. “I still call on people I met through school to this day.” For him, the alumni network reflects one of the College’s greatest strengths: a lasting sense of belonging. “Once you’re a Scots boy, you’re always a Scots boy. We look after each other.”

Looking ahead, Lewis hopes to give back in the same way former students supported his generation. He wants future Scots students to enjoy the same opportunities that helped shape his journey. And when people eventually look back on his career, he hopes they will remember more than his results in the pool. “I hope people remember that I gave back to my community and inspired the next generation.” It is a fitting reflection from someone whose story is ultimately about much more than sport. It is about perseverance, gratitude, and the enduring power of community.