“Pizza, then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of men, the balance wheel of the social machinery.” — B. Kasselman, 2023
Ah, the eternal struggle of Term 3. It’s like the marathon of school terms—but at the end of all these exams and assignments due dates – the Year 11s have one thing to truly look forward to.
Pizza Day
At the end of every term, for the last year and a half, those last few brave determined students who make it in on that final day of the school term get rewarded with some delicious pizza, served with a side of banter and camaraderie.
I’m not ashamed to admit that when I traverse the now very hazy corridors of my own school memories, I can’t quite recall the intricacies of Legal Studies, nor can I summon up the profound wisdom from my English teacher’s masterpieces. Don’t even get me started on Science… and Math? Let’s be real here: Math, especially the kind that thinks it’s all fancy with its sine, cosine, and tangent, has an incredible talent for being mostly, well, useless.
But, the pizza afternoons! Those are etched in my cerebral cortex like a masterpiece painted by the giggles of yesteryears. The sweet reprieve, the chance to let loose a belly laugh over the shared absurdities of school life, and the magical appearance of a TV/DVD combo on wheels—it was like rolling in the entertainment artillery. Truly, Pizza Day was the best of times. (The worst obviously being lessons of Math).
After an in-depth tête-à-tête with the Head of Pastoral Care—a conversation that, I assure you, was entirely academic in nature (and not just because I happen to harbour an intense affinity for pizza)—I’ve been equipped with some scholarly insights that bolster my fervour for Pizza Day. You see, it turns out that this cherished tradition doesn’t just cater to my taste buds, but it also has the potential to cultivate tighter bonds among our student body, and contribute positively to their emotional well-being.
Now, hold onto your pizza slices, because here’s what the in-depth research from the aforementioned consultation revealed about the profound impacts of Pizza Day on our students’ friendships:
1. A Sense of Belonging and Purpose: Assemble a group around a table with cheesy slices, and what do you get? A gathering that nurtures a powerful sense of belonging and purpose among our students. It’s like finding your own slice of camaraderie.
2. Happiness Boost and Stress Reduction: Ingesting slices of pizza isn’t the only thing that can elevate spirits. The convivial atmosphere of Pizza Day adds an extra layer of happiness and helps dial down the stress, turning the event into an emotional anchor.
3. Self-Confidence and Self-Worth: Sharing laughs and slices creates an environment where students feel valued, thereby boosting their self-confidence and affirming their self-worth. After all, what’s more affirming than someone offering you the last slice?
4. Healthy Lifestyle Habits: Alright, while it might not directly encourage moderation in pizza consumption, the social nature of the event promotes healthy habits by ensuring that students don’t spend too much time cooped up in solitude.
Pizza Day is more than just a culinary celebration—it’s a holistic experience that weaves friendships, builds emotional resilience, and adds an extra layer of meaning to our students’ lives.
And so, my fellow aficionados of education and melted cheese, let it be known that I stand resolute in my unwavering faith in Pizza Days. For as long as the halls echo with the footsteps of Year 11’s about to take the grand leap into becoming Year 12’s, the tradition shall endure. They shall too partake in the sublime ceremony that might just end up as the highlight of their high school saga.
But let’s get one thing perfectly straight: Pineapple has no business even considering being on a pizza. Yuck!
James Follett, Year 11 Coordinator
