This year has been incredibly successful for the HBHS Leo Club. In Term 2, we held the HBHS Food Drive, a highly ambitious initiative which saw Tutor Groups provide almost 1000 cans of food to the Salvation Army Food Bank. Despite the COVID-induced cancellation of our flagship event, the HBHS Relay for Life, we managed to bounce back with fresh enthusiasm in Term 3. The Club subsequently held numerous sausage sizzles, both at lunchtimes and winter sports games, which generated more than $3000 in funds. Over the course of the year, we have also seen a spike in memberships to the club, a positive indication of our increased presence within the HBHS community. So far we have reached over 35 recurring members, and expect this number to grow as we enter 2023.

The Alzheimer's Morning Tea, another event the club had poured hours into organising, was also cancelled due to COVID concerns. However, the loss in morale felt by many was soon rectified, with the club sending volunteers to help at the annual Lions’ Book Fair, which proved to be a very successful community fundraiser, both for the Lions Club and us.

In July, a new executive team was elected, consisting of 4 Year 12s and a Year 11 student. Following the dual cancellation of Relay for Life and the Alzheimer's Morning Tea, we faced the challenge of organising a major event before the end of the year. It was decided that we would hold the HBHS Drip Contest, an outfit competition that would take place on a non-uniform day in the hall. The unprecedented nature of the event meant organising it in a short amount of time was a risk. A few days before it was due to take place, we only had a small number of signups. However, our extensive promotional work paid off and we were overwhelmed with entries on the day, including special guests Mr Cooley and Mrs Rae. The event was highly entertaining and would not have been possible without the help of many Prefects and teachers. We also collaborated with the HBHS H.E.A.R.T Initiative, with whom we held a sausage sizzle and bake sale alongside the event.

The Leo Club has raised a total of $5300 during 2022, which has been donated to various charities and groups, including the HBHS Headmaster’s Fund, the HBHS Multicultural Manaaki Centre, Kids in Need Waikato, Cancer Society NZ, St John’s and the Alzheimer's Foundation. We can’t wait for 2023 and already plan to hold a High Tea in the Hamilton Gardens in support of the Alzheimer's Foundation NZ. This will be done in collaboration with the HGHS Leo Club, who we are extremely excited to work with on many future events.

Sincere thanks go to the Leo Club’s previous executive team - President Levi Pruden, Secretary Notus Rivers, Project Manager Jack Broomfield and Treasurer Hitesh Malhotra, as well as teachers Ms Dobbyn and Ms Malan, and Wayne from the Hamilton East Lions Club. Your tireless support and invaluable contributions to the club are essential in ensuring our success.

Leo Club President Hamish McKelvie and Secretary-Treasurer Sam Priest