Archive #43/65: Mr W.G. Smith, Rector 1980-2000


Mr Graham Smith is the longest-serving Rector of Lindisfarne College to date and, as such, has had a profound impact on the development of the College. During his twenty-two years at Lindisfarne, the school was transformed from a relatively small country institution with a roll of 305 to a modern, competitive educational establishment with a roll of 376. Mr Smith initially joined Lindisfarne in 1978 from Hastings Boys’ High School as Deputy Rector and was appointed Acting Rector, then Rector, in rapid succession.

 

During Mr Smith’s tenure, many of the buildings now considered iconic at the College were constructed. These include the gymnasium and the Library, which is named in his honour. Other developments overseen by Mr Smith include the Medical Centre and accommodation for the Matron, the Practical Arts Block (workshops), a new kitchen and laundry, a junior boarding hostel, and new classrooms in both the Mouat and Science blocks. Mr Smith also proposed that the long corridor between the newly built gymnasium and the Assembly Hall/Chapel be used to display photographs of successful sporting teams and national representatives. This led to the creation of the Long Room, now well known to every aspiring Lindisfarne sportsman.
 

Sport at Lindisfarne steadily improved under Mr Smith’s leadership, with all College teams eventually competing in the highest grade for which they were eligible. A notable milestone came in 1995 when Lindisfarne’s 1st XV played Whanganui Collegiate’s 1st XV (instead of their 2nd XV) for the first time, holding them to an 8-all draw. Other sports, such as hockey and football, saw significant growth in participation, and new sports were introduced. Mr Smith also supported the students’ enjoyment of Clubs by adjusting the timetable to finish early on Wednesdays in Term Two, allowing more time for clubs such as Scuba Diving, Trout Fishing and Ten Pin Bowling.
 

On the cultural side, Mr Smith supported the growth of College bands and orchestra and numbers participating in these groups grew steadily. He also introduced House Music and Oral Communication, both of which have contributed to the distinctive character of a Lindisfarne education. The study of Oral Communication quickly became widespread, with boys taking exams in Speech and Drama and Public Speaking, and achieving notable success in debating. In the 1990s, it was common for up to two-thirds of students to be involved in speech training of some kind.

 

Mr Smith was renowned for knowing each boy by name and for his personal involvement in College life, including coaching junior cricket and hockey teams and teaching a third-form English class almost every year until his retirement. Towards the end of his tenure, Mr Smith recognised that integration was essential for the College’s future and strongly supported the College Council in undertaking the challenging task of meeting the Ministry of Education’s demands including the extensive renovation of the Homestead.
 

After retiring, Mr Smith authored a history of the College and, in later years, a history of the Te Whāiti-Nui-Ā-Toi Scholarship.