Leaving on a high note – 40 years teaching in Queenstown

She’s acted the clown, cleaned up squid ink-coloured vomit in a remote hut, been called ‘the Mrs’ by five-year-old boys, while another tiny tot secretly assured her his brother was home “printing real money”.

Di Ramsey, (formerly Lawrence), has been primary teaching in Queenstown for 40 years and retired from her role at St Joseph’s last Thursday (10 April) after 30 years at that school.

Prior to that Di taught for 10 years at Queenstown Primary School.

Best known for her singing prowess on stage in leading Showbiz and Queenstown Musical Society shows, Di’s led numerous school choirs and taught musical instruments.

Dunedin-raised, Di taught in Alexandra and Cromwell before scoring the drama and music role at Queenstown Primary in 1985, much to the disapproval of the then principal, an ex-military pressure cooker teaching graduate who opposed her appointment.

“He said, ‘You’re young and far too confident and I’m just letting you know we will be getting rid of you’,” she grins. “I was baffled and sat in the corner of the staffroom where Zandra Buttar thought I must be the book rep and kept asking me the price of things,” Di chuckles.

However, Home and School Committee chairman Garrick Tremain embraced the vibrant, young music teacher, vowing to get whatever she needed, which he did.

“He was my absolute saviour,” she says. “Next thing we had a keyboard which Mark Douglas loved as he could push one key and have accompaniment while writing his hilarious take on fairytale shows.”

Long-time principal Mel Gazzard then arrived. “I couldn’t fault him. He changed our year levels every two years though, which was challenging, but now I’m so grateful as I’ve been able to teach at any level.”

After spending six months in New Mexico while husband Brian was working there, Di was welcomed by Sister Jane at St Joseph’s, her own Catholic schooling kicking in.

She’s held various fulltime and part-time roles, from principal release to maternity cover, starting the job early in her own first pregnancy. “Daughter Kimberly’s graduation speech said she was pleased to never have to be taught by Mum again,” Di laughs.

Dubbed ‘The Little School with the Big Heart’, teaching at St Joseph’s has been “like a family”. “I’ve never had a desire to teach anywhere else,” she says. “The Year 8’s are so involved with the new entrants, all given a Korowai passed down from their graduating Big Buddies.”

However, it took four days to get the very large red clown lips and nose paint off after she’d been clown at the Queenstown School Fair. Then there was the tummy bug that circulated Stewart Island camp, one boy losing the entire bag of blackballs he’d eaten on the sailing over.

“It was like squid ink staining the floor and we couldn’t get it off,” she laughs. Di landed the big catch down there too, needing help reeling it in – a tyre, much to the kids’ amusement.

Then there was the little boy whose brother was absent but helping their older brother “make money on a special machine and special paper”. “I found out later the older brother dabbled in the sharemarket,” Di smiles.

Just recently she overheard five-year-old boys at the making table whispering, ‘We better ask the Mrs. That’s what my dad calls my mum.”

She’s not only taught ukelele and organised and led countless school productions and choirs in what the kids dubbed her flash pink “choir frock”, but Di, a keen embroiderer and quilter, has also taught soft material technology.

A special liturgy was held at St Joseph’s Church on Thursday to celebrate Di’s contribution to the school.

“Di has had a wonderfully positive impact in the lives of countless children and families here in our community over a very long time, principal Alan Grant says. “We’re very grateful to Di and her family for giving so generously.”