By CHERIE TAYLOR in Rotorua
They used to share the staffroom - now five St Mary's Catholic School teachers share 2am feeds and nappy changes.
Within two months, five teachers from the Rotorua school have become first-time mothers. Their babies are known as "Sister Julian's roll boosters" - Sister Julian
being the school's principal - and they have personalised bibs to prove it.
It all began with a Kate and ended with another Kate.
Linda McGregor gave birth to daughter Kate on July 6 and Emma Liley delivered her Kate exactly two months later on September 6.
In between, Karen Tabuteau's daughter Jaime arrived on July 21.
Without a care in the world for timing the only boy in the bunch, Michael, was born six weeks early to mum Joanne Fleet, on August 29. The fourth baby to arrive was Eva, born on September 5 to Hannah Rikiti.
Before the babies' births the mothers-to-be met every couple of weeks. Now they meet for coffee, a walk and a chat every week.
Sometimes the contact is more frequent.
"Now we are texting each other at 2am feeds," Mrs Fleet said.
Sister Julian is like a proud grandmother when the mums and their babies arrive for a visit. She has a brag book of photographs.
"This is very positive for the school with new birth, new life. Yes, there was quite bit of adjusting in the early stages when we heard the news at the beginning of the year. It's always difficult to find staff to fill in but it has all gone very smoothly," she said.
Children attending the school had also warmed to the situation.
"It was a bit of a shock to everyone but the children are really excited now they have seen the babies," she said.
Ask the mothers if they will be returning to the classroom any time soon and there is a round of laughter.
"When there is a creche," is their unanimous answer.
