the year twelve's final farewells
BY SOFIA VLACHOS & PHOEBE WALLIS
The ending of our high school careers is a big milestone is our first steps as individuals. The Unihigh celebrations of the end of year 12 were very underwhelming and disappointing for many. On the last day of year 12 classes instead of a fun goodbye, the year 12s of Unihigh left the school as soon as the bells rang.
How should we celebrate?
Harmless water fights seemed like a soft and not destructive celebration but this idea was shut down by those in authority at The University High School this left many year 12’s both short of money from buying equipment and disappointed and left leaving Uni High for the final time unsatisfied. We think alternatively there are many ways in which we can make a final goodbye to high enjoyable for all. If we incorporate a full day full of structured activities which are both fun and not harmful in any way, this will benefit all by creating a lot more fun in the Unihigh community. We’ve heard stories of past ‘Muck Up’ days and the pranks and such that were pulled were both destructive to the school and to others' wellbeing. We hope to break the stigma that year 12s have an aggressive motive in hopes that as a result we can have a beautiful celebratory day. In other schools, there is the ritual of having to rip up costumes which was a way to unleash their anger through more controlled ways, but at Uni High without our uniform maybe it is assumed our anger would be destructive.
To make a happier more of an eventful last week/day we have some ideas that we believe would be beneficial to incorporate.
If more attention was focused on dressing up for the last week and more music and lunchtime shows, we believe these can be easy ways to have a good time without any cost to people's wellbeing.
Have an official school committee or the SRC organizing a more structured, (but still fun) day of activities, where everyone can enjoy and stay safe?
A whole school celebration upon exit as the year twelves leave Uni High for the last time
We hope to see lots of celebration and fun in the coming years!
Additional information:
According to a recent news story, a 17-year-old was hit by a car by the driver attempting to dodge water balloons being thrown which resulted in reckless driving, and he was later arrested. This accident was the result of a year 12 muck-up day prank. Should muck-up days be planned or controlled to avoid accidents like these?
We asked many year twelves that were there that day and we received responses such as “disappointing” and “underwhelming”. Is this how year 12s who have worked tirelessly all year should feel?
The question still remains; Is there a way around this dilemma or is Muck Up Day gone forever?