Lindisfarne College, New Zealand

Story

Lindisfarne College is a state-integrated Presbyterian boys' day and boarding intermediate and high school in Hastings, New Zealand. The school is named after the Holy Isle of Lindisfarne, site of the medieval Celtic monastery and castle on the northeastern coast of England. The college was established on 14 April 1953, by the Herrick family. The founding roll of 33 students now comprises around 500 students. Roughly half the school students are full or weekly borders. Its sister school, Iona College for girls, is situated in nearby Havelock North.Since 2000, the college has invested significantly in major renovation and new construction projects. Older buildings such as the homestead, dining hall, chapel, gymnasium, and music department have been modernised, and new facilities include the Lowe Family Performing Arts Centre.The current rector is Ken MacLeod, who succeeded Grant Lander in 2010. The college's overarching philosophy is based on 'four cornerstones of learning' — academic excellence, cultural participation, sporting endeavour, and the Christian dimension. It focuses heavily on producing alumni with 'admirable' content of character, through its 'Good Man' programme.Scottish HeritageLindisfarne places a major emphasis on its Scottish and Presbyterian heritage. This tradition began in accordance with the wishes of the Herrick family, who gifted the land on which the college stands for the creation of a school in 1953. Additionally, the college's founding rector, Rev. F. H. Robertson, was a prominent minister in the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand, and established a uniquely Presbyterian and Scottish dimension to the college. The college hosts an annual Burns supper, maintains an active pipe band, and hosts the annual Easter Highland Games for the Hawke's Bay region. The college's formal uniform includes the wearing of tartan kilts, and its social studies curriculum includes the mandatory learning of the school's Celtic heritage. Students are also required to learn the college hymn, the college song, and the college prayer.