The HBHS Service Committee for 2023, from left, Lasen Silva, Daniel Dizon, Cole Brewerton, Ryan Bosch (bottom), Deputy Head Prefect and Leader of the Service Committee, Josiah Moetara, Neil Van den Berg, Luca Sweetman, and Aaron Hemi.

Photo by Cole Brewerton

Meet the Service Committee!

Josiah Moetara & the 2023 Service Committee — April 6th, 2023

Our Service Committee has been hard at work this year to better the lives of the school and wider community.

From the leader of the Service Committee:

Our year as a Committee began with the yearly parents, Executive and Prefects dinner. There we were able to present our why - for us it was less about the 2023 Service Committee but more about future Service Committees to come. We came up with a quote that we wanted to live by and represent through every event that occurred… “Feeding the future”. At Hamilton Boys’ High School, service is about creating a positive influence on our community without any gain of our own. Service is not something you do to assist with your personal aspirations or to decorate your curriculum vitae with, but something to do out of genuine care for our community. Service is something approachable for everyone from Year 9 until Year 13. No matter who you are, no matter what you have done, you can give service.

Our first event as a team was on the 23rd of February when the school had a Te Rā Tuakiri to help with the cyclone relief in the Hawke's Bay area. A place that means a lot to our school because of our relationships with fellow Super 8 schools, Napier Boys' and Hastings Boys’ High Schools. The school showed up with donations and the Service Committee was at the forefront of collecting and organising these donations. A huge thank you to every student and teacher who gave and continue to give to the Te Rā Tuakiri events as they are such positive initiatives that make such a difference to our community.

We were very fortunate to be the first Service Committee since 2019 to not have any interruptions created by COVID-19. Our first event was the Relay For Life to help raise funds for Cancer Society New Zealand. This took place on the 11th of March outside the Claudelands Events Centre and was led by Committee members Neil Van den Berg and Lasen Silva. It was an amazing 12 hours as our 19 participants represented the school with such pride and integrity. It was also great to see other members of the Service Committee and the Top 6 come along and show their support for a few hours. Thanks to our boys we were able to raise $3,676 towards such an amazing cause. Final shout-out to Mr Killian for being a wizard on the sausage sizzle. This is definitely an event that can become a yearly opportunity for HBHS students.

On the last day of Term 1, the Service Committee had the massive job of organising a full school event. Led by a passionate Mrs Hickman and Ms Brown, the HBHS KidsCan Charity Run took place throughout Hamilton East. This was the first time our school had taken part in this event since 2018. The day was perfect for a social fun run. The Year 13’s opened up the run leaving the school grounds first, passing teachers and Prefects acting as marshalls throughout the course. Students ran just over 6 kilometers to show their support for this amazing cause and to finish the event, a big soapy water slide going through the posts of Rugby Field 4. In the end, HBHS raised $6623.90.

Throughout the year there are a lot of initiatives where HBHS students go out and help the community. The AMP show is a popular one where boys go and volunteer around the grounds of the fair. We also work closely with the Red Cross Foundation and this year 12 boys went and helped the team set up a book fair. Service is a big part of life here at HBHS and the number of service hours logged this year are proof of that. In 2023 HBHS recorded 11,505 hours of service towards our community and it was Tait House which won the service competition with 2612 hours. A big shout out to Cole Brewerton for his persistence in making these events available and Daniel Dizon for his dedication to the House Service Programme.

Another event that has continued at HBHS is the Blood Drive. Every year HBHS staff and students fill up the sheets contributing to the many lives saved through giving blood. This year we had Blood Drive NZ come in twice to our school hall and Ryan Bosch and Luca Sweetman were at the forefront of organisation. Hundreds of boys not only gave up their time but also their blood in an effort to help those in need. HBHS also takes part in the World Vision 40 hour challenge. This year funds were to go to water accessibility in countries of need. Together HBHS students raised over $4000 to help children in need. Challenges varied from 40 hours of no furniture to 40 hours with no water!

One of the biggest and most popular events that HBHS take part in is the Shave for a Cure. This year 44 students and staff raised $19,345 to go towards cancer treatments. The event was a huge success with local HBHS barbers shaving heads. Along with live music and amazing interviews, this lunchtime in September was a great experience for the boys. Thanks for the support from Aaron Hemi with his drive to make sure every boy had their head shaved.

The Service Committee would like to thank each and every member of the HBHS community who contributed to the service events this year. It is a core component of life at this school and we are appreciative of all that has been done to help improve the lives of those in need.