Better earning than sleeping in

While most teenagers spend their holidays sleeping in and relaxing Celine Aporo spends her breaks learning good work ethics.

The 15-year-old Wairarapa College student spends her school holidays working at Masterton's Ten O'Clock Cookie Bakery and Cafe helping stock cabinets, serving customers and clearing tables.

She began working at the cafe last November to make money for a trip to Hawaii with her family in April this year. "I wanted to save up my own money ..." As a result she had had an amazing time shopping in Hawaii. "It was really good. I could have done a lot more activities but I was too busy shopping and spending my money."

During the school term, Celine works two afternoons weekly and every Saturday while in the holidays she works daily. She said she'd be bored silly if she wasn't working.

"I'd be doing nothing and sleeping in."

All teenagers should earn their own money, Celine said.

"It keeps you occupied and teaches you the value of working and having your own money. You can be more independent."

Ten O'Clock Cookie manager Monique Kloeg said the bakery had five student workers - four girls and one young man - who were fantastic employees. "They are all nice and pleasant."

Working offered young people a wealth of experience that would help them in future jobs, she said.

"It's important for them to learn a good work ethic. A lot of people get a shock when they get a job. They go from school to university and then when they get a job it's a big shock to them. Working gives them an idea of what to expect when they do get a job."

Working also kept them off the streets and occupied, Miss Kloeg said.

"A lot of these kids come from families where they have had a good work ethic instilled in them. I think that is important because it teaches them to save for what they need themselves. That's a good thing to learn."