Archive #3/65: Founding Lindisfarne

In 1951 there was no private secondary school for boys living in Hawke's Bay that was closer than Wanganui and Wellington, and it was impossible to secure a place in most of the established private schools as they had long waiting lists. It made sense to develop a school in Hawke’s Bay that complimented the private girls’ schools, Iona College and Woodford House.

The benefits of a private, residential school were recognised. It was possible to keep class numbers to 20-30, which allowed for individual tuition and greater educational opportunity. In a purely residential school, besides the undoubted advantages to be gained from a closely-knit community life, there were greater opportunities for tuition in sport and other activities outside the classroom, and there was no time lost in travelling to and from school.

All three men grasped the opportunity given to them when Messrs. E.J. and F.D. Herrick offered the Herrick family homestead, named Lindisfarne, with 19 ½ acres of land for the establishment of a residential secondary school. Within the space of one month, the £20,000 asked by the Herrick Family was raised, with the Herricks themselves donating a further £5,000.

The three Founders began the planning required to constitute, under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church, a College for boys in Hastings that would complement the two girls’ schools, Iona College and Woodford House.

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