Every December 9th, students at St. Mary’s International School gather to celebrate St. Mary’s Day, a long-standing school tradition marked most memorably by the distribution of free ice cream. While the event is popular and joyful, many students don’t seem to know what the day is actually about. Beyond the ice cream, the meaning of the celebration has become unclear—even forgotten—by a large part of the student body.
To better understand how students view this tradition, an anonymous survey was conducted asking grade 8 students to describe what they think St. Mary’s Day is truly about. Out of over 60 responses, a large majority revealed a serious lack of understanding. Some students admitted they had no idea. Others guessed it was the school’s birthday, or a Catholic holiday for Mary, or something to do with the founding of the school. In fact, nearly a third of all answers directly mentioned ice cream as the main purpose or highlight of the day, with many saying things like “ice cream day,” “I don’t know but we get ice cream,” or “I only care about the ice cream sandwiches.” Only a few students gave answers that correctly mentioned honoring the Virgin Mary or the Catholic roots of the school. The data shows that while the celebration is well-liked, very few students actually know what they’re celebrating.
For insight into the school’s perspective, an interview was conducted with Dr. Ashmore, an administrator at St. Mary’s. When asked about the meaning of St. Mary’s Day, she said, “We celebrate that day to honor our patron of St. Mary’s.” On the tradition of giving ice cream, she added, “It has been a tradition at St. Mary’s before I was here. Knowing the brothers, I would think… just to make kids happy.” Her response confirms that there is a meaningful origin behind the day, but it also suggests that the messaging has not been consistently passed down to students. Without a clear explanation or visible connection to the school’s religious identity, the day risks being remembered only for its desserts.
This situation connects to larger themes that affect many schools, especially international ones like St. Mary’s. Traditions are important because they help build identity and unity, but they also need clear communication. When a school has students from many different cultures and religious backgrounds, it can’t assume everyone understands the meaning behind Catholic traditions. Without explanation, students who are new or unfamiliar with the school’s values might feel left out or confused. Some students even said they had never heard of the day until they were given ice cream at lunch. If a celebration is meant to bring a community together, then everyone needs to understand what is being celebrated and why.
This situation also reveals a gap in shared identity within the school community. If only a small group of students knows the true purpose of a school event, it can’t fully serve its role as a shared community experience. Students should feel connected to their school traditions, not just entertained by them. With clearer communication—perhaps through announcements, short homeroom lessons, or posters—St. Mary’s Day could become a more meaningful celebration for everyone. It could be an opportunity to learn about the school’s founding, its patron saint, and the values it stands for, while still enjoying the fun of the ice cream tradition.
In the end, St. Mary’s Day has the potential to be more than just a popular lunchtime event. It can be a moment of reflection and pride for students and staff alike if the school takes steps to share its story. Understanding the “why” behind the tradition is just as important as the celebration itself. And when students know the meaning, the ice cream might taste even sweeter.
