Archive #33/65: Leaders through the 70's - Mr W.D. Mouat, Mr Pine and Mr Hill

W.D. Mouat:

Lindisfarne College Council Chairman #2 , 1971 – 1975.

Mr Mouat retired as Chairman of the College Council, after a highly satisfying term at the helm. His tenure carried Lindisfarne through a time of unprecedented growth and advancement, much of which was brought about through his common-sense business skills, complemented by his knack of being able to make the right decision at the right time.

His quiet, assured manner, his dynamic leadership and his enthusiasm for all things Lindisfarne, contributed to the remarkable and historic results that he and his Council achieved.

Mr J.H.N Pine:

Rector, 1971-1977.

Jim Pine piloted the college through a pivotal period of growth and change. During his tenure, Lindisfarne grew to a roll of 276 students. Growth on this scale had numerous consequences; more staff were employed, more subjects could be offered, new buildings were needed, a four house structure was introduced, success on the sports field increased dramatically and academic results improved. For many, however, Jim Pine’s legacy was less about numbers and results and more about ethos.

Many old boys have fond memories of this period and recall it as a time when the discipline became less military and more inclusive and boys were encouraged to take more responsibility. As one old boy put it, “instead of being treated as ‘boys’ we were being treated as ‘men’”. Prefect meetings were held in Jim Pine’s sitting room over a cup of coffee and students were consulted in the decision making process. The cane was used more sparingly in this period and boys were given the opportunity to prove themselves and to grow into confident young men.

Jim Pine and his wife Norma left Lindisfarne to take up the headship at a school in Honiara in the Solomon Islands. At his farewell, with his customary modesty, Jim Pine made the following comments: “Mr. Chairman, your remarks today and others made recently almost convince me that I have been a successful Headmaster. All I know is that with such teamwork, in Hawke’s Bay, we were bound to succeed.”

Mr P.M. Hill:

Rector, 1978-1979.

Mr Hill arrived at Lindisfarne from St Paul’s Collegiate with his wife and two sons in the year that Lindisfarne turned 25.

The school was bursting at the seams necessitating the addition of several new buildings including the four classroom Mouat Block. During Mr Hill’s tenure at Lindisfarne, the strong roll was maintained, the curriculum was broadened and the house music competition was introduced with Aidan winning the inaugural round.

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