Our Service Committee leads by example in their natural habitat...

On the trailer, from left, Ashan Barr and George Unsworth.  Holding the wheelbarrow on the left, containing Hitesh Malhotra, is Jack Basel.  Standing proud in the centre is Deputy Head Prefect and Leader of the Service Committee, Hohaia Keogh.  Holding the Sevens coaching jersey, because he is, is Thomas Verry.  On the right, reclining on the job, is Tana "Tclapz" Clapham, and holding the wheelbarrow on the right, Luke Haddon. 

Service Committee Report:

“Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.”

“With your basket and with my basket, the people will live.”

Despite the niggly start with the COVID restrictions and the rostered days home, the HBHS Service Committee has made its mark in making service opportunities visible and available to all students at HBHS, giving them the opportunity to offer a helping hand for their school and wider community.

Service is a selfless and humbling way of expressing one's appreciation and good will for someone or something. By offering genuine service we show that we care for our school and wider community; thus why it is fundamental for students at HBHS to have a number of opportunities to serve.

This year the Service Committee promoted a variety of opportunities in a variety of ways, beginning straight off the bat with the Tonga Food Drive. On short notice, HBHS chipped in and gathered together food and essentials to support our whānau in Tonga through the difficult circumstances that they faced at the beginning of the year.

In the pursuit of serving others, Jack and Luke worked together to promote and co-ordinate the volunteering opportunity with Habitat for Humanity. Then kicking straight into the next event being the first of its kind, the HBHS Kickathon. A fundraising event inspired by Dan Carter’s own kickathon where he cleared 1598 goal kicks for 24 hours straight, HBHS students donated and displayed their kicking skills as a fun and positive way of supporting UNICEF and DC10 fund to raise funds for providing safe and clean water for kids in the Pacific. After that, a number of students were involved in the annual Arbour Day, helping to plant native trees within the community to replenish the environment that we live in.

Moving into the first major event for service at HBHS, the Service Committee prepared for the 40 Hour Famine held on the 1st of July to the 3rd. This year 75 students and teachers contributed towards raising money for their individual 40 hours of famine, whether it was 40 hours of no food, no technology, no speaking and more. Thanks to the hard work by Mrs Stoner, Mr Killian and the members of the Service Committee who put in a large amount of effort to promote and coordinate everyone involved. As a result of their hard work, HBHS was able to raise just under $8,500 to support the World Vision programme, doing our part to help those in the wider community.

Probably the most exciting, yet busiest, time of the year was the preparations and running of the annual Shave for a Cure. Working with Leukaemia New Zealand and Varda Academy who willingly volunteered to shave the heads made the event run super smoothly. Over 60 students contributed to the fundraising by going out and finding sponsors to sponsor them to shave their heads in support of the cause. A huge shout out to our three teachers that joined in with the event, Matua Graham, Mr Mallinson and Whaea St George, who shared with the school her reason for supporting the cause, reinforcing the purpose of why we give service for others. The reason why we shave our heads is to help those with cancer feel that they are not alone as it can be a very isolating experience. It was an amazing and humbling experience to see so many people shave their heads in the school hall to support this cause and to see so many students supporting those shaving their heads. This year, HBHS was able to exceed our goal of $20,000 and raise a grand total of $30,000. A new record in the running of this event and the second highest total raised by a school in the country to raise money for the cause. Thank you to Varda Academy barbers, Mr West and Mr Dent who helped to organise the technicalities of the event on the day with lighting and cameras to capture the moment. It was a very lively event, almost like a party. There was even a fog machine.

Nearing the end of the year was our bi-annual event, the Blood Drive. Unfortunately our first drive was cancelled due to COVID-19. However, on the day of our second drive, despite the fear of needles, 77 boys willingly supported those in need to either help others or to simply get the free Milo and biscuits with some time out of class. Collectively we were able to possibly improve the lives of over 200 people. It was great to see so many students willing to help for a service event that is not easy.

To wrap up the year, our final major service project was the HBHS Service Award scheme. This year we handed out roughly 120 service badges to students that have displayed a great amount of service throughout the year. This year’s House winner for this event was TAIT HOUSE, leading the event with over 2000 service hours recorded throughout the year.

On behalf of the Service Committee, we hope to have laid a solid foundation for the students at HBHS to learn the importance of serving others both during their schooling years and carrying on after as well. It has been a pleasure to work with so many charitable people and to see the positive impact of everyone's actions. It has been a great pleasure to lead a committee of diligent and hard-working young men and to grow alongside them this year as we learned and developed so many new skills and understanding in leadership and service. Of course a huge mihi to Mr Killian, the Teacher in Charge of the Service Committee, for directing us and helping us to make this year the best year of service at HBHS that it could be. Good luck to the Service Committee for 2023 and the years to come.

Service Committee Profiles:

Hohaia “Horse” Keogh

Quote:  “Champions do extra.” James Kerr

Favourite Memory:  Performing as Britney Spears in the “We Will Rock You” production.

Future Ambition:  To have a good time...

Ashan “Soleshan” Barr

Quote:  “No one cares who wins the first half.” Barney Killian 2022...

Favourite Memory:  The infamous Jackson Murphy/Christian Pogai incident.

Future Ambition:  To have Mr Ross's guns when I reach his age...

Jack "King Bazz" Basel

Quote:  "You are on my radar, you wanna know how you get off my radar? You don't!" Esteemed member of the Albatross Society, Mr Tizard...

Favourite memory:  When Jovan Xin went to the Coromandel.

Future Ambition:  Become HBHS's NZQA and CIE Liaison and Principal's Nominee, eventually working my way up to Headmaster...

Tana “Tclapz” Clapham

Quote:  “If you're not first, you're last.” Ricky Bobby

Favourite Memory:  Arvo surfs with Mr Harnish and carving up the touch field every lunchtime.

Future Ambition:  Lawyer and New Zealand representative surfer...

Luke "The H.O.G." Haddon

Quote:  "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." Wayne Gretzky - Michael Scott

Favourite Memory:  Being relentlessly picked on by Mr Thompson in Calculus class everyday.

Future Ambition:  Robotics Engineer...

Hitesh "Token Brown Brother" Malhotra

Quote:  "I'm cosplaying as an anti-vaxxer." Dr Williams

Favourite Memory:  Being bullied by Mr Fletcher for two years.

Future Ambition:  Be a corporate sellout until I'm rich enough to stop Kanye from going DEFCON 3 on the Jewish People...

George "Gunsworth" Unsworth 

Quote:  "I work hard all day, I like knowing that there is going to be a break. Most days I just sit and wait for the break." Kevin Malone

Favourite Memory:  Laughing at a joke so hard that I sprayed water all over the people sitting opposite me at dinner. 

Future Ambition:  Sustainable food production...

Thomas “Tommy V” Verry

Quote:  “I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious.” Michael Scott

Favourite Memory:  Lunchtime touch.

Future Ambition:  Work in a marketing firm...