Sport to benefit from Principal's retirement

27/11/2008

Brent Ward (1967-71) has said goodbye on the last day of school many times in his 32-year career as an educator. But the end of this school year will be very different, he says.

The 55-year-old will retire from Tahuna Normal Intermediate School in Dunedin next month after 11 years as principal.

Brent Ward - leaping into a new challenge

‘‘I remember those tearful days of saying goodbye to my own class of youngsters — it was hard. There are special ties with our students. We follow their progress and successes for many years after they leave. But retiring from Tahuna will be a completely different ball game. I know now that I will have to do something quite different, somewhere else, at the start of school next year so that I don’t become too emotional about it.’’

During his career, Brent has taught at Tainui School, Tahuna Normal Intermediate, Kenmure Intermediate and Mosgiel Intermediate, serving as principal at Wyllies Crossing School, Tainui School and Tahuna Normal Intermediate.

Leaving Tahuna would bring mixed emotions, he said.

‘‘The biggest things I’m going to miss are the staff and the students, who are outstanding. The kids have a variety of interests and talents, and it has been rewarding to encourage them in those areas.’’

However, he was concerned about the future of Tahuna and other schools, because in recent years there had been a push for standardised testing of year 1-8 pupils in the education system.

‘‘I will worry about the future of schools if they go the way of over-testing students. By weighing a pig every week, it doesn’t help it to grow.’’

Despite his feelings, he was ready for retirement and was looking forward to spending time furthering other ventures. Brent is one of New Zealand’s best track and field athletics coaches who has trained many of this country’s best sprinters and hurdlers.

His plan now was to spend his retirement coaching ‘‘speed and power running’’ in athletics and team sports.

While being an educator and a coach had been challenging, each had complemented the other, he said.

‘‘I work better when there’s a bit of a challenge there. It keeps you going; it keeps you thinking.

‘‘[Athletics coaching] is a passion. Everyone needs an interest outside their work. It adds to a person’s whole character.’’