KEY POINTS:
Tahi Erika reckons having a nurse at his school is "pretty cool".
The 8-year-old got the all clear yesterday after having his ears checked. But he knows some of his classmates aren't so lucky.
"It's really special [having a nurse] because sometimes children get sick but their mums can't take them to a doctor. It would be a good idea for all schools to have one."
Since nurse Meri Ormsby began at the school she has identified that more than a third of the children have ear problems.
And curing those has boosted academic ability.
Being able to help the children full-time is a rewarding job, said Ms Ormsby.
"I love it. The best thing is belonging to the school community. You get to know them and their families in-depth. They trust you and that's what makes the job possible."
About three-quarters of the 900 children at the school are from transient families.
"I'm able to give them the check-ups they might have missed as they've moved around. It's about prevention as well as cure."
Ms Ormsby is also able to pop into a class to give short lessons, such as how to blow your nose properly and how to check if you have nits.
Although the nurse is paid for 20 hours a week, she frequently works more, often visiting children at home and giving health checks to their families.
"It's an holistic approach. The children can't be well if their parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles aren't."
Many of the poorest families are used to a succession of agencies visiting their home, and they often view them with suspicion, Ms Ormsby said.
"But they know me so I don't get 'the hard look'. And when I get to watch the kids progress well, it's very rewarding. If they're happy then I'm happy."
