Graham Smith came to Lindisfarne in 1978 from Hastings’ Boys to take up the role of Deputy Rector. He was appointed as Acting Rector when Mr. Hill left at the start of 1980 and was confirmed in this post later that year.

During Graham Smith’s twenty-two years at Lindisfarne, the school was transformed from a relatively small country school with a roll of barely 300 into a modern competitive educational institution with a roll of close to 400. Many new buildings were constructed and old ones remodelled, the curriculum was widened and enriched, many aspects of school life including the uniform were modernised and the cultural life of the school expanded enormously. Graham Smith shepherded the school through the difficult period of integration and established the foundations of its later growth.

Doug Storkey, retired Lindisfarne chaplain, paid tribute to Graham in a special chapel service: “I take great pride that I have walked with Graham Smith and worked with him to make this school not just a good one but a great one”. He went on to say, “I have seen in Graham Smith the combination of idealism and realism and I marvel at the changes he has been able to bring about.”

In the same chapel service mention was made of Graham Smith’s unswerving support of all four corner stones of the school: academic excellence, cultural participation, sporting achievement and the Christian dimension. In support of the Christian dimension, he was responsible for introducing the Galatians trophy to be presented to boys who demonstrated Christian values. Other traditions introduced during his tenure were the chapel services taken entirely by boys and the college hymn.

Many ex-staff and pupils recall Graham’s assemblies which often combined the best elements of a play including dramatic pauses, props and perfect timing. Like all good audiences, the boys learnt early on, to stifle any excessive coughing! In the course of the many presentations of awards and certificates to boys at Monday and Friday assemblies, Graham would greet each boy by name and congratulate him. He had got to know many of the boys through his coaching of junior cricket and hockey teams and his teaching of a third form English class which he did almost every year until his retirement.

Graham’s firm but fair approach earned him the respect of the staff and boys alike. Boys who transgressed were unlikely to escape Mr Smith’s ire but they were also likely to be singled out for his congratulations when they did well. This is expressed in a letter to Mr Smith, written by a 5th form boy after a school chapel that he had lead:

Dear Sir,

It has been a privilege to have had you as a rector, leader and role model for this one year and three terms that I have been attending Lindisfarne. I know that I have been far from an ideal student and have had my ups and downs here, but when you spoke so highly of me this morning, it made me feel as if I had achieved something. It made me feel extremely proud to hear such graceful words from a person who I have so much regard for as yourself.

I wish your wife and yourself a happy retirement, all of the best of luck and I hope life treats you well.

Best wishes,

Daniel McGannon

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