The bell rings (or at least metaphorically, because we don’t actually have a bell anymore). Your teacher doesn’t understand that even one minute of lateness has the potential to disrupt the entirety of your break-time canteen routine. You are released. Without realising, your stride gradually changes from a walk to a run. The power of the canteen now has a grip on you. Past the self-providing snack students you go, whist tripping up staff along the way and not holding the door for anyone. Crucially, you avoid eye contact that might spark conversation – keep your head down. Food is the priority, forget manners. In fact, just leave your moral compass in the pit, there are sausage rolls and steak here.
Eventually you roll up at the canteen. This is after passing the early birds who are walking back to the STEAM tower with their snacks in hand, and have spoiled the surprise of today’s menu for you. How selfish. There’s a queue – there always is. The routine from this point on is as follows:
- Try and make conversation with people near the front of the queue. It’s difficult not to let your motives shine through here, and it’s highly likely that some (very) angry year 10s will stare at you for the rest of your life for – accidentally – skipping past just a tiny group of people. Whoops.
- Attempt to enter with your group of friends. Be left behind (alone) because the teacher on duty just simply couldn’t let you in, despite the swarm of sixth formers that continue to stroll past. One more person would result in riots, absolute riots.
- Enter and absorb the euphoria that comes with this utopia. The trek was worth it; you are safe now
- Hmmm…Sweet or savoury?? You have been so preoccupied with the journey, that you don’t know what the final destination should hold. (That quote will definitely be included in my memoir (DO NOT COPY ME). I can’t say I know what it means, but I can think of all the deep metaphors and messages that could be taken from it…)
- If in doubt, apple lattice. Always apple lattice.
- Grab some crisps (again, ignore the fruit).
- Now comes for your most challenging part of the break-time experience. Paying. You have a worrying gut feeling that your account is in dire need of topping up. This feeling is so intense that by the time you are ready to pay, a glistening sweat lingers above your brow. With reluctance, your thumb presses down on the scanner. BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP. Uh Oh. Embarrassment crushes you into a thousand pieces, provoking a nervous laugh. “Hehe – yes, yes – will speak to the bank of Mum and Dad. (ARGGHHH that beep was so loud!!!!!!!!) Hehehe thank you, thanks, bye…”
- Try to eat your chosen delight in peace. This is seemingly going well until you notice the shadow of that same teacher, who wouldn’t let you in with your mates, approach to tell you that break time is over. The end is here you think. But then you realise – there’s 5 minutes more of sweet bliss left. But there’s not – your friends have submitted to instruction.
- Walk away from the canteen, in the glorious sunshine, looking back on it like a distant memory. Oh, well – lunch time is never too far away…
Evidently, break time here at WHS is a big deal – it always has been. An escape from lessons – though only a mere 20 minutes – is what allows us to thrive and fuel ourselves up until lunchtime comes around. The snacks provided by the catering staff never disappoint. I mean, who would have thought that something so small as an apple lattice would have the possibility to determine the mood of my day?! Make sure you say a huge thank you to the angelic caterers who provide the delicious treats for us, day in and day out without fail.
Remember, if that top-up-beep ever gets too much, drop me an email. I’m here for you.
Some break time candids from today’s break:
No teacher on duty yet. Students flow in whilst the sun glistens over this sweet, sweet moment.
Chaos. Students bouncing around – one keeps her head down (great job, keep up the good work), another looks over with snack in hand in fear. I feel that now would be a suitable moment to address the social sacrifices I made whilst taking these pictures – ‘what a weirdo’ they all thought… ‘taking pictures in the canteen? Get a life’ they all thought. Well, here you are: this article completely justifies the necessity of my (painfully awkward) actions, thank you very much.
WOW. These bao buns were next level. I don’t think I’ll ever understand what is actually in the vegetarian ‘oumph’, but I simply don’t care. Save the planet – but make it taste good. Crisps are well stocked here. Give it five more minutes and BOOM they’re gone. There were also some cookies further down the line but despite being very much on time, I didn’t manage to get one. The early bird, does in fact, catch the cookie.
