The 64-year-old St Francis Xavier School principal will retire in July after teaching for 44 years, despite saying he would never tire of the job.
"A highlight has been all the time I’ve spent with children.
"They’ve all been amazing — so keen and eager to learn — and it’s been a privilege to work with them.
"They really do keep you young. I love that. I’m going to miss that — especially the interaction with the children."
Mr Ward has been principal at St Francis Xavier School for the past 18 years.
Before that, he taught at Matua School (Tauranga), Invercargill South School, Salford School (Invercargill), Campbell Park School (Waitaki Valley), Oamaru Intermediate, St Joseph’s School (Oamaru), Weston School (near Oamaru), and George Street Normal School (Dunedin).
He said the job had become much more "involved" since he began teaching in the early 1970s.‘‘Surprisingly, the job just seems to be getting busier and busier each year.
"There is certainly a lot more accountability and paperwork, but I’ve enjoyed it."
While he felt he would never tire of the job, he felt the time was right in his life to move on and let someone younger take over.
"I’ve certainly got mixed feelings about leaving. I guess it’s all going to come as a bit of a shock when I finally do hand the key in.
"But I feel like the school is in really good heart. There’s a wonderful community here, and I think it will be good to hand it over to another set of eyes with a fresh approach."
Mr Ward said he planned to spend more time around his house, "doing all those jobs I never had time for before", and spend time with friends and family.
Like most retiring teachers, he said teaching was in his blood and he could not go "cold turkey" on the education sector.
He saw himself in an education consultant role in the future.
"At this stage, I haven’t lined anything up, but I’m still open to opportunities.
"Who knows?"
