Nelson Sapsezian, a true Paulean

From a student in the 1950s to a lab technician in 1978, and then to bursar, Nelson spent 44 years of his life at St. Paul’s. As he steps down, Mr Sapsezian reflects back on his professional life at St. Paul’s and the most memorable moments of his journey at school.

What brought you and your family to St. Paul’s?

My mother is American, my father is Brazilian, and I was born in Brazil. My parents believed in an international education, so I enrolled here as a child, alongside my sister, who was two years older than me – she passed away about fourteen years ago. I had to leave St. Paul’s in Form 5, as there was no Sixth Form at the school, so I concluded my studies at Graded.

In 1978, a friend of mine who was working at the school as an assistant told me about a job position. Then I joined in April as a lab technician. At the time, there were three labs at the school and only one technician. Since then, things have changed a lot in the department. I worked as a lab technician for six years.

I was always very interested in things that others didn’t want me to be involved with, and I figured out things here and there. I started overseeing constructions at the school, including the one where our theatre is now located. After the constructions, I was promoted for Domestic Bursar, in 1984, and then Bursar in 1986. That was a year with a lot of changes for the school – the IB programme was first introduced and there was a change in Headmasters. Mr Adam Ross, who had been Headmaster when I was a pupil and had worked in St. Paul’s for 25 years, left in 1986. Then, the acting head was Paul Gaisser for three years and in 1990, McCann became the Head.

My own family came to St. Paul’s as a consequence of me working here. When McCann started as Head, the school needed a receptionist, so they offered the role to Carmen, my wife. Then my children came to study here as well. I had never thought I would spend so much time working here. Even though I worked here for years, I think the school has always been able to innovate itself. Mostly because each headmaster stays for a period, and I can’t think of one person who can promote so many changes and have so many new ideas in a span of 10 years, it’s almost impossible. So when you have a change in headmasters, you have a change in the whole direction of the school. The new people are leaving a different mark, and that is always great to see.

What is your favourite memory of your time at St. Paul’s?

I had the privilege of meeting a lot of different people in St. Paul’s, including members of the Royal Family. I was at the school for the visits of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, Prince Edward and Princess Diana – whose visit we helped to organise. All of that brings me good memories.

In general, I think any situation where we were able to accomplish what we set out to do, that brings me good memories. I am not someone who will start what I can’t finish or promise what I can’t achieve. So there are many happy memories of events and things that we accomplished as a school that were great. But what stands out to me the most was being able to meet certain celebrities that not everyone would have the chance to.

I met the queen when I was still a pupil. It’s a bit of a funny story: as part of the royal visit agenda, the school was going to have a pupil handing her flowers and they planned on choosing my sister, but she wasn’t British. Somehow, it all worked out, because thanks to some family members, my mom was put by the red carpet for when the queen left her plane. There’s even a photo from Folha de São Paulo and my mom is there! The queen stopped and chatted with everyone, including my mom, and found out that she had kids at St. Paul’s. She remembered that, so when the queen got to the school, she asked to meet us. She didn’t have to do this, but for some reason, I can’t really tell you why, she liked my mom and remembered us.

Another really remarkable visit was Princess Diana’s, in 1998, as I was involved with the organisation as a staff member from the beginning, talking with the British embassy. It was a historical moment! We met and talked briefly, and she was really nice. I don’t have a picture with her, though. I also helped to organise other visits. I don’t have pictures, but I do have one great memory of them. The royal family’s secret service team has a special tie for each occasion, so you know who a part of the team is based on the tie they’re wearing. And I was gifted one of these ties afterwards!

Mick Jagger was also at the school and he sat in my office! At the time, they didn’t want anyone to know he was here, so he got in through the parking lot and they thought a place no one would look for him would be my office, so he went in there. My PA at the time, she went in to bring some water, and afterwards she told me: “Sir, Mick Jagger is sitting in your chair!”

I never cared that much about pictures with these celebrities, it’s not something really important to me. I think taking pictures with a celebrity is like taking pictures with a statue, as they won’t ever really remember who you are. The only time I was really starstruck was when I met Vera Gimenez. I admired her a lot when I was a teenager in the 1960s and 1970s and learning she was the grandma of a pupil at the school was really exciting. I remember I was in my office and someone came in, saying they needed to talk to me urgently. I left my office and there she was, Vera Gimenez, standing next to me. I freaked out! We talked a lot, and she gave me an autograph that I have to this day. That meant a lot to me because she does remember me to this day. She was really nice. Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures but I remember this day as if it was yesterday.

Pelé also came to help inaugurating our gymnasium, the old Sports Centre, in 1994 or 1995. I was not here, as I was having a conference in London when he came, but he left two autographed footballs and McCann got one and I got the other. I then gifted it to Luzia and her son, who is a big football fan.

Aside from the famous people I’ve met, working alongside our school board was a big privilege. Every few years, we have new board members and it is impressive how dedicated they are to the school. They are volunteers and they always have the school’s best interests at heart. I’ve worked with bank directors, CEOs, people that I would never think I’d meet. But they dedicate their time to come to the school and help us, which is really remarkable. I was very privileged in that sense.

You spent a lot of time overseeing different constructions at the school. Was there anything weird that was found during one of these constructions?

Yes! So, where it’s currently located the Pre-Prep playground, near the entrance, that was our assembly hall. When we demolished it and levelled it, we stumbled upon a diesel oil tank that used to supply kitchens in the 1930s. At the time, ovens would work with diesel, so there was a huge tank, that is still there!

The school also used to have tennis courts and below one of them, we found a concrete roll. It was a practice to bury it in the field as it is really hard to get rid of. When we went to build the current Sports Centre, we found it.

There are also a bunch of time capsules buried across the school. These are Pre-Prep children’s projects and I think it’s a great idea. I wish I had done while I worked here was to bury one, in a safe place, to be opened in 20 years. I think that would’ve had been nice.

What do you think makes St. Paul’s a special place?

I think it’s a combination of things, there’s not a single answer. Even though there is a traditional approach, which matters to some people, the school has always looked at the future, it didn’t get stuck in time. You can be traditional, but also forward-looking. So we have an old building and also a modern one, to show the different eras the school had. When I studied here, the school was much smaller, only had around 500 pupils, a number that has since increased significantly. But it still holds that feeling of a tight community and having the chance to spend from 3 to 19 here, it’s something very special.

Do you have any advice for those who are staying?

I don’t believe in taking advice, I only believe in working hard and being dedicated. That’s it. It is your job, it’s the thing that helps to you keep your life going, so you have to dedicate yourself to it fully and you will be recognised and well treated. The school has always done that. We’ve always assumed our compromises.

Lastly, what are your plans?

The school played a huge role in my life. I’ve learned the entire British anthem by singing it for almost 30 years! But I believe my cycle at St. Paul’s has finished. The school will want me to help, of course, because the knowledge I’ve acquired, it’s not something you can just turn off and I’ll show up if I am ever invited to. But I also feel the need to respect those who are left and leave space for those are coming.

As for my future plans my plan is to not make plans. I’ve spent 44 years making plans, so on 9th July, when I wake up, I don’t know what I’m going to do. But the first thing I really want to do is go to the street “feira” a Wednesday. I love “feiras”, but they’re only up on Wednesdays, which are working days. But I really want to go to a feira, wander around, choose what I want, then decide I am not up to cooking and eating a pastel instead!