Current Rector, Mr. Ken MacLeod joined the College in 2010 from fellow Presbyterian School, Saint Kentigern College and immediately brought a renewed focus on academic achievement. NCEA results in recent years have been the best in the history of the College and have remained among the very best of New Zealand’s boy’s schools and indeed all schools. University Scholarship numbers increased, and results have been consistently one of the very best in the region, and per-capita, in the country. In the last six years three boys have been Premier Scholars (Top 10 in New Zealand) and three boys have been the top students in a subject, in these highly competitive examinations.

The impact of new digital technologies as tools to enhance teaching and learning saw the Rector facilitating the introduction of laptop computers for all students with support from a full-time Director of E-learning. Lindisfarne was at the forefront of innovation as the first school in the region to introduce such a programme. Another curriculum innovation was a role as a lead school and Centre of Excellence for Agri-Business. Mr. MacLeod has been a strong supporter of profiling individual learner’s abilities and the appointment of a full time Director of Learning Enhancement has seen much improved information on each student gathered, allowing targeted support for those with learning needs. This made a huge difference to the learning, achievement and confidence of many boys.

Mr. MacLeod has always recognized that for boys to learn high quality staff who understand the need to develop positive relationships with boys and model our college values are essential. With the retirement on a significant number of long serving staff in his first few years as rector he led the transition period in a seamless way and the staff is a strong and committed to helping boys grow into good men of character as ever in its history. Mr. MacLeod is clear that choosing good staff and giving them the room to grow and innovate rather than micro-managing them is a key to a great school. The cornerstone of Sport has remained a strength of the College and the Rector has brought greater focus with the development of a strategic plan and the appointment of a full time Director of Sport. Part of this has involved professional development for staff in their coaching roles and plans for an Academy of Sport and Health to start in 2019. International sports tours have increased in number and regularity with Tours in Rugby, Cricket and Football to such diverse destinations as the UK, France, Sri Lanka, China, Australia and New Caledonia.

Mr. MacLeod is a very strong supporter of all sports at the College and spends many, many hours on the sidelines encouraging the boys and chatting with parents. On two occasions, using his representative experience, he has also coached the Senior Touch Team to Hawkes Bay titles. The Arts have seen tremendous growth in variety and in the status of this dynamic part of College life. With the active support of Mr. MacLeod, major productions of international shows such as Les Miserables and Evita have wowed audiences. The Pipe Band has increased in number and the numerous band programmes have flourished. A choir has been re-established and a Pacifica group started. Mr. MacLeod has been openly delighted that the status of boys engaged in the arts is now fully recognized alongside our sportsmen, and more so, that they are often the same boys! Thanks to the College Foundation, a third sculpture by internationally recognized artist Paul Dibble, was erected outside the Performing Arts Centre entitled ‘The performance’. It is a stunning introduction for visitors and boys to the world of the Arts. Mr. MacLeod also introduced annual Arts and Sports Awards Dinners that are now a popular part of the regular calendar of events and showcase the amazing diversity of activities and achievements in these areas.

With a renewed vision to develop men of good character, Mr. MacLeod has brought new attention to this area with a focus on six key character traits for boys to aspire to. These are stunningly displayed with flags outside the Chapel and introduced to new Year 9 boys with a ‘pilgrimage walk’ led by the Rector, following ‘in the footsteps of Aidan and Cuthbert’ from Iona to Lindisfarne. Speakers on the way share their thoughts on these values and encourage the boys to aspire to such character. The integration of these values in a more deliberate manner into our curriculum and co-curricular programmes is now underway. Another innovation from the Rector has been a whole school luncheon on the first day of the year where new boys are introduced to the College and their Tutor Groups. Senior boys now place the traditional red blazers onto the new boys to welcome them. The Rector, members of senior management, the College Council, Parents and Friends and Old Boy act as waiters for this luncheon to model service to the boys. On learning the school motto, values and haka boys are now also presented with a distinctive school badge introduced in 2018.

These innovations follow others from Mr. MacLeod including providing distinctive kilts for the School Prefect team (suitably a Robertson tartan, after the first Rector of the College). Communication enhancements meant the College was the first in the region to have a mobile App and publications in print and digital spheres have been significantly visually enhanced from the wordy newsletters of previous years. Seeking to develop a growing culture of respect and kindness has seen the introduction of restorative justice practices and the KiVa anti-bullying programme that has brought a measurable change in the sense of well-being among boys. The appointment by the Rector of a College Counsellor to support the existing work of deans and the chaplain has provided further support for boys in what can be a challenging stage of their lives.

During Mr. MacLeod’s tenure to date, significant change has been seen in the College with a new ESOL classroom linking the Mouat Block and the Homestead, Science laboratory renovations and the addition of new second story classrooms facing the Lyndhurst Fields. The Ranui Fields opposite Frimley Park have been leased and developed to provide superb additional sporting grounds and a 2.4 km fitness trail was developed around the Ranui and Farne properties. The most significant and initially controversial change has been the transformation of the frontage of the College. The former tennis courts on the main drive were replaced with car parking adjacent to the Chapel and Auditorium and a new floodlit multi-purpose turf built at the far end of the gymnasium. There was some initial reluctance as this required the re-alignment of the 1st XV field, however once a new frontage with magnificent gates, a striking wall and a functional drop off zone (to reduce the congestion that was a frustration for parents leaving the College), the new field has been met with universal praise and the quality of the entrance to the College now matches the quality of the education provided within.

As the 65th Year of the College comes to an end, Mr. Macleod continues to have a strong belief in treasuring our heritage while always looking to meet the needs of current and future boys. As the College finalises its new strategic plan, Mr. MacLeod is excited about the future and what is still to be achieved. With both the college and its boarding roll at its highest ever numbers for 2019, there is no doubt that Lindisfarne will continue to develop more young men of good character and that Mr. MacLeod’s influence as Rector will continue to enhance the lives of the young men of Lindisfarne.

For more photos click here https://www.sporty.co.nz/lindisfarne/gallery