Archive #50/65: Dr. J. Wakeman - Lindisfarne College Chairman #7, 1995 – 2016

He took over as the Chairman in 1995 and almost from the outset became involved in the negotiations and deliberations over integration.

This involved an enormous amount of work and a very thorough approach to ensure that Lindisfarne made the most advantageous decisions about integration. Several other independent schools at this time declined to take up the offer of integration and it was a testimony to Dr. Wakeman’s pragmatism that he ensured that all arguments and options were considered before the final decision was made.

The acceptance of integration was a pivotal moment for Lindisfarne and allowed the school to go on and develop as strongly as it has. At the time of integration, the Rector, Mr. Smith paid tribute to Dr. Wakeman and the enormous amount of work he had done to reach the right decision for the school. “In particular I would like to thank John Wakeman for the inordinate amount of his own time he has put into the college throughout this year. To appreciate the commitment, one would have to be at the College on most days of the week. His initiative and leadership in all spheres of governance, his uncompromising devotion to Lindisfarne and his attention to detail has resulted in a highly successful year for his Council.”

The same devotion and attention to detail characterised the remainder of Dr. Wakeman’s time as Chairman of the College Council. Under his guidance, the Council oversaw numerous building projects which changed the face of the College. These include the library, the science complex, the Intermediate classroom block, the second storeys and refurbishment of several of the boarding hostels, the new art rooms, The Agriculture and Horticulture building, the Performing Arts Centre, the new tennis courts and the driveway realignment project.

Every year at prize-giving the Rector has thanked Dr. Wakeman and his fellow councillors for their contribution to the College and it is interesting to note that, in regard to Dr. Wakeman, the words pragmatism, prudence and wisdom and used frequently. In 2009 Mr Lander paid tribute to the College Council for all the work that they had done during his tenure as Rector and made special mention of Dr. Wakeman’s leadership: “Throughout this period, under the canny leadership of Dr. John Wakeman, the College Council has consistently shown it has the best interests of Lindisfarne’s boys, staff and parents to the fore.” Dr. Wakeman retired as Chairman of the College Council in 2015 after serving the school for a total of 31 years.

During this period, he worked with three Rectors and saw the school grow from just over 300 to nearly 500. In paying tribute to Dr. Wakeman, Mr. Andrew Kirkpatrick, the incoming Chairman praised his “unwavering dedication and absolute commitment to Lindisfarne.”.

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