Leap for joy - it's rare birthday time

What principal would employ a 10-year-old as a teacher?

It sounds unbelievable, but Otumoetai College head Dave Randell laughed excitedly when he introduced Year 13 dean Eloise Stephen to the Bay of Plenty Times.

Today is Miss Stephen's 40th birthday but in reality she has only celebrated 10 birthdays in her whole life.

Why? Because she is born on February 29 - a date that only comes around once every four years.

"I think I'm getting used to it," she said. "Other people tend to find it more interesting than I do.

"My nephews and nieces think it's quite a laugh when they ask me how old I am. And [Mr Randell] thinks it's quite funny that he's employed a 10-year-old. He thinks it's hilarious."

At the college yesterday, Miss Stephen came face to face with Nathan Thompson, who also shares the unique birth date. It was the first time either had met another person with the same birthday.

Nathan is today celebrating his 16th birthday, but technically he's only four.

"When it's a leap year you get a bit more excited because you have something more to look forward to," the Year 12 student said.

"My family always celebrates my birthday and my friends ask a lot of questions, but I do feel proud because it's a bit unique," he said.

Nathan normally celebrates his birthday on March 1, while Miss Stephen celebrates her birthday on February 28 "because it keeps it in the same month". She didn't plan on having a big celebration and marked the occasion with a barbecue with her family last weekend.

"I guess I don't look forward to [birthdays] as much because I'm getting older but my 20th was really great. I was quite excited with that one. It's a big thing turning five. That's one I bet you'll look forward to too," she told Nathan.

Nathan said he wouldn't change his birthday for the world.

"I'd happily keep it as it is. It's who I am," he said.