Farewell to dedicated MIS staffer

A funeral service for former MIS teacher aide Charmaine Waitere will be held at the school hall tomorrow at 4pm. PHOTO/FILE

The funeral service for a former Masterton Intermediate School teacher aide who died after a long battle with cancer will be held at the school tomorrow.

Principal Russell Thompson said Charmaine Waitere, 51, died on Tuesday and a funeral service will be held in the school hall for the mother and grandmother, whose twin sister Priscilla Waitere runs the school canteen.

Mr Thompson said children of the late Ms Waitere, who had worked as a teacher aide at the school in the late 1990s and early 2000s, had also been pupils at the school including her daughters Tina and Renee and son Paul.

Mr Thompson said Ms Waitere had been an indispensable member of staff during her time at the school.

"She was a huge support for many students and teachers throughout her time with us.

"She often supported me in many ways in my role when I was deputy principal," Mr Thompson said.

"Particularly when we were trying to place more than 100 Havelock North Intermediate students with the best-fit host student from MIS, Charmaine would often find and correct mistakes that I had made, luckily before we sent the letters back for distribution.

"She had a real skill of knowing what someone else required help with, but did not need to be asked first."

Mr Thompson offered sincere sympathies to the Waitere whanau on behalf of the Masterton Intermediate School community and notice of the funeral was run in the latest school newsletter.

Ms Waitere's funeral service will be held at the school hall tomorrow from 4pm.