A Lifelong Bond: From Christ’s College to Lindisfarne

The following article was originally published by Christ’s College, and tells the story of two remarkable educators whose journeys have spanned both Christ’s College and Lindisfarne College. Jim Pine, who served as Rector of Lindisfarne College from 1970–1978, and Nigel Evans, a former Lindisfarne staff member of 14 years, share a friendship that began at Christ’s College and has continued to shape their lives and careers in education.

This story is a perfect example of the lifelong connections that can be fostered at school, and the enduring bonds that link our two colleges.

Each year on 4 July, Nigel Evans receives a phone call from his former Christ’s College History and Divinity teacher, Jim Pine, wishing the Julius House Old Boy ‘Happy Birthday’. Now 92, Jim continues to be a strong and supportive presence in Nigel’s life after Nigel lost his father during his final year at Christ’s College in 1970.

Describing his mentor as “a great friend and a great supporter”, the College Prefect also explains that “Jim gave me my first job as a teacher in New Zealand” at Lindisfarne College in 1977.

JHN (James Horatio Nelson) Pine had been appointed Rector of Lindisfarne College in 1971, following on from his role as Housemaster of Condell’s House and School House at Christ’s College.

For Jim, that friendship forged at Christ’s College has grown over the years, with the regular contact appreciated by both men.

He adds that both he and Nigel have a passion for education and supporting students to achieve at their best.

“I value that connection a lot,” Jim reflects. “We have so much in common and have formed a bond, initially established at College during Nigel’s last year.”

Of his time at College, Jim points out that his appointment in 1956, “started me out in boys’ boarding schools” after finishing Teachers’ College in Christchurch.

He taught English, History, and Divinity, staying at College for 14 years. He then joined Lindisfarne and later moved to Rathkeale College in Masterton.

Both have also taught in faith-based schools in the Pacific. Jim and his wife, Norma, were based at Selwyn College in the Solomon Islands, and Nigel taught in remote Milne Bay Province in Papua New Guinea.

Nigel had taken a similar teaching path, gaining a Master’s degree in History from the University of Canterbury and becoming a leading educator. He also undertook a Chevening-Reuter Journalism Fellowship at the University of Oxford and became the Editor of Newspapers in Education (NiE). He has been a senior advisor to the Ministry of Education and a development facilitator with NZQA.

Both have been inspired to educate young people and have supported each other through the decades, with Wellington-based Nigel planning to catch up with Jim in November this year. Nigel plans to join a cycling group for a three-day trip, starting at Mount Cook and finishing in Oamaru, where Jim now lives.

Thank you to Christ College for permission to use their article
https://christscollege.com/ccoba/latest-news/college-connections-jim-pine-and-nigel-evans-55-years-on