After 58 years, Mrs Reweti retires from school

Bethlehem School teacher assistant Geraldine Reweti is finally retiring after 58 years. Photo/Andrew Warner

At 88-years-old, Tauranga woman Geraldine Reweti could likely be New Zealand's oldest and most loyal junior teaching assistant.

Mrs Reweti has spent 58 years working at Bethlehem School. She officially retired at the end of last year. Next month, she and her many years of service will be celebrated at a formal retirement party.

Not that she's going anywhere.

Mrs Reweti said she might no longer be on the school's payroll but she still volunteers, and was looking forward to helping out three days a week.

Mrs Reweti never quite made it as a qualified teacher.

She applied for teacher's college three different times but each time found out she was pregnant. After the third time, Mrs Reweti figured it was simply not meant to be.

She now has six children.

Mrs Reweti arrived at Bethlehem School as a student in her primary years. Back then, the school was on the other side of the road and known as Paeroa Native School.

Read more about Mrs Reweti's incredible story in tomorrow's Bay of Plenty Times.