Airini Turner loves helping children with their reading. Photo / Martin Sykes
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Buttery slabs of shortbread, fluffy scones, cakes and a "yes" attitude are what makes Airini Turner the mother hen of Marist School Herne Bay.
Mrs Turner, 60, has been associated with the Catholic school for almost 10 years.
Working as a part-time cleaner, she is known for coming in in
her own time to help set up for school Mass and bringing in various morning tea baking treats - including shortbread, fruit cakes and scones - for staff each day.
"Oh crikey, it's just something nice to do," she says.
"They love my shortbread and I love to see those smiles, that's all, no major."
Mrs Turner - who is also a cleaner at Bayfield School and has been for the past 16 years - helps children with Holy Communion, teaching them about the Sacraments of Confirmation, Reconciliation and Confession.
She is also known to help the elderly, taking Communion to those who can no longer leave their homes to attend weekly church services.
Mrs Turner is now a teacher aide at Marist, having been offered a job at the school.
Principal Robyn Pivac says she saw just how much students respected and warmed to her.
"She was like a mother hen - always has something nice to eat in her bag, positive and a real role model for students," Mrs Pivac says.
"They absolutely love her. She goes about her business - if she sees something needing to be done, she just does it quietly. She just contributes."
Helping students with their reading and literacy has meant for a number of students reaching above-average reading levels and being able to join their classmates, once again.
Having been the one to help them is "just magic", Mrs Turner says. "I love it, absolutely love it.
"It's hard in the beginning - when they don't get it and you think: 'Why aren't you learning?'
"But that's why you're there - and then when they come back to say they've gone up a couple of [reading] levels it's just so nice."
Mrs Turner, who was brought up in Rotorua, says she will continue going about her daily business - working for the benefit of others.
"If the good Lord lets me have my health, then yes, this is what I will continue to do - helping people and making shortbread."
