Te Awamutu: Meet the 'kaitiaki readers' of Pekerau Primary School

Freeman Court resident Beverley Craigie and student Ben Collins, 8.

Every Wednesday is reading day for students at Pekerau Primary School and senior residents of a local retirement village.

The kaitiaki readers are a group of residents from Freeman Court, plus some of the school's parents and grandparents.

They volunteer for an hour every week to listen to children reading in the school's library.

Pekerau Primary School student Shiloh Bowden, 8, and kaitiaki reader Helen Anderson.

Freeman Court resident Helen Anderson is one of the volunteers, and is also the daughter of the school's founding principal, Cyril Meads.

"I'm interested in helping the school and maintaining a connection," Helen says.

"I think reading is so important and read a lot myself."

Deputy principal Tania Bagley says the programme will help develop the students' fluency and confidence in reading.

She says the weekly session is beneficial to both the students and the volunteers.

"It's a nice opportunity for the two age groups to come together," she says.

"I love seeing the interactions and conversations unfold. The students and the seniors both walk away with a smile."

"It's special to see the people who have spare time giving back to those who need time."