The High School Low Down with...Miss Ward

Miss Becky Ward joined the High School as a PE Teacher in 2017 and became a Transitus Form Teacher in 2019.

She’s a phenomenal hockey player, having represented Team Scotland twice in the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and 2018 and she’s competed in six European Championships. 

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Give us the low down: what was your path to the High School?

I studied Sports Biomedicine at Dundee University, working in Dundee Science Centre while I was a student. After graduating, I took a year out to focus on my hockey career before starting my post-graduate in teaching at the University of Edinburgh. 

After this, I took another year out to play hockey for Team Scotland in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. I returned to complete my probation year at Morgan Academy in Dundee, my home city. After that, I took up a post as a visiting PE specialist in Perth and Kinross for two years. 

In 2017, I was appointed the role of PE Teacher at the High School, where I started late as I was competing in the European Championships in Amsterdam. The School actually had a S1 and S2 hockey tour going to Amsterdam at that time which provided a great opportunity for some of my new pupils to see me in action and cheer the Scotland team on!
 

When did you know teaching was your calling?

I loved PE at school and deep down I think I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. I had actually applied to study PE Teaching as an undergraduate but decided to explore Sports Biomedicine instead, always knowing I could go back to teaching at a later date if I still wanted to. 

During my time working at the Science Centre, a large part of my role was visitor interaction and delivering workshops which reinforced my enjoyment for passing on knowledge which led me back to teaching!
 

Tell us your biggest highlight at the High School so far?

This is a tough question... I really enjoyed going on the S1 residential trip to Raasay in my first year. It was great to spend time with pupils outside the classroom and watch them overcome new challenges. 

I am also really lucky in my role as a Transitus Form Teacher, taking part in and helping out with a lot of events. The TS assembly on St Patrick's Day was another highlight. This was the first Transitus assembly in front of the whole school for over two years due to the pandemic, the pupils were brilliant! They spoke confidently and clearly which is no easy task in front of an audience of hundreds.
 

Describe yourself in 3 words.

Enthusiastic, caring and loyal.
 

What’s your go-to motivational song for pre-match moments? 

‘Can’t Hold Us’ by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.
 

Who or what inspires you most and why?

One of my favourite sporting stories is the 'miracle on ice'. In 1980, the USA didn't send their professional NHL ice hockey players to the Winter Olympics but instead sent amateur and collegiate hockey players. They went on to win gold, beating the Soviet Union, who were considered to be the best team in the world at the time. The moral of the story, being together as a team and working hard, really resonates with me. For anyone interested, it has also been made into a great movie!
 

What’s one thing you hope to never forget?

Walking into the Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014. The roar of the crowd and the buzz was electrifying!
 

What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to someone?

Keep it simple, do the basics well, be on time and work hard.
 

And finally, give us your low down of the High School

The High School is a place where pupils thrive, no matter where their talents lie.