Six of the best

A small Marlborough primary school is wondering how lucky they are to have so many twins enrolled at once.

Tua Marina School, situated between Blenheim and Picton, has a student body consisting of over 12 percent twins, with six sets of twins enrolled at the 96-pupil school.

Principal Nic Walker says while the twins do try and pull pranks on staff and students, he says it is a unique pleasure to have so many [twins] and it has left him wondering what the odds are.

“We have a whole variation of twins, with identical twins, near identical and non-identical, and they are all really cool, creative kids of their own accord,” he says.

“It adds a unique flavour and energy to our student body and wider school community, and for the parents having fellow twin parents to connect with, especially with the area from Koromiko to the Wairau River.

“It’s interesting for us as staff, who see these kids day in day out, to see how relievers deal with the classes - whether they try and remember one identifying factor, name tag everyone in class or bring a new idea to identifying which is which.

“Personally, I love the co-ordination that they show when trying to be one another, while still keeping their mind on our values of a caring, inclusive, family-orientated environment at school.”

The occurrence of twins is roughly 33 in every 1000 births; however, family history of twins does lower the odds. The 12 pupils agreed with their principal that both being a twin and having so many twins at the same small school together was special.

“I love being a twin, because it means we have lots of people to play with at lunch time,” says Cara.

“Swapping and trying to be one another and trick people is fun to do, but they are starting to know the difference,” adds Noah. “Having so many twins means my sister and I have lots of fun at school,” agrees Mabel.