Personal Attributes

"I have worked with Mel and watched her progress through this year with interest. She is growing as a leader for this new school and there is a real sense of conviction in what she is leading and how she is leading. She gives others around her confidence as they join the journey. There is real collaboration with new staff throughout their induction and beyond. Mel walks the talk and models well for them all. "

Karen Gibson

Establishment Board Chair

2017 - 2018

"Mel is a committed and dedicated school leader. She is prepared to do the long hours required to ensure the highest standards are met. She is focussed on student learning and well-being. Students adore her for her warmth and genuine, caring nature. Mel leads by example: it is never a case of just do what I say. She definitely walks the talk. For a foundation principal I believe the important attributes are big picture vision, pedagogical knowledge, ability to work with a wide range of professional bodies, organisation, innovation, and integrity. Mel ticks all these boxes in my experience plus more. "

Mike Donaldson

Mentee and Referee

2017

"We would like to pay a tribute to Mel Bland who has been with us for Term 4 and is going onto an Assistant Principal’s role at a local intermediate school. Mel’s affable character, humble leadership and amazing organisational skills has ensured that OJC has been able to meet up with all the enrolled students previous teachers to gather important data and learning stories. She has also dug deep into the linkages between our school vision, values and principles and the graduate profiles for our Year 7-10 learners. Thank you for your attention to detail and cognitive persistence. Mel, we wish you all the best at your new place - they are getting one very special educational leader."

Leaders of Learning Senior Leadership Team

Ormiston Junior College 2016

"Mel walks the talk! She is a superb leader who models exemplary practise in all areas, including the relationalship side of leadership. She works in a reflective way and includes everyone in her work as needed or necessary. Mel is a consistently effective communicator and an incredibly effective listener. Mel has worked for me for nearly four years.....and I am demanding! But seriously....Mel is an extremely hard worker - dedicated and responsible; incredibly well organised, highly efficient and prepared to put in whatever time is needed to complete a task. Likewise she is flexible and has extremely high standards of herself and others"

Iain Taylor

Principal

Manurewa Intermediate School 2013

"Where to begin. I have been a principal for the past eleven years. During this journey, I have been blessed with working with a handful of superstar teachers. Mel is one of those superstars. I state this fact with great conviction because of the leadership and teaching she brings to our school."

Michelle Hiteman

Middle School Principal

Taipei American School

2009

" Mel is heavily involved in the life of our middle school, has a very strong work ethic, and is one of the most impressive educators I have had the pleasure to work with in my twenty four years in education. If you have the opportunity to do so, hire her! I know Mel will be an asset to any organization fortunate enough to have her services."

Gary Pettigrew

Middle School Associate Principal

Taipei American School

2008

“Mel is a consummate professional whose work in the classroom is inspiring. A naturally gifted educator, Mel’s programming and delivery is of the highest quality, her preparation thoughtful, and the lessons delivered to students meaningful and embedded in rich context and purpose – inspiring to young learners. She is a young and vibrant educator with a great deal to offer – one of the finest I have worked with in my 18 years in international education.”

Glenn Chapin

Headmaster

Mont’Kiara International School

2006

"Mel is a true middle school teacher educator who cares about her students, has knowledge of best practices in middle school, and takes great pride in her work. Unlike many people, Mel thoroughly enjoys working with middle school students. Her experience has taught her that students at this level can be, individually, very different academically, socially, and emotionally. She is professional, enthusiastic and positive with her students."

Blair Peterson

Middle/High School Principal

Mont'Kiara International School

2006

"Melissa's outstanding range of skills are so extensive that it is difficult to know which of them to highlight first. However, I think I should initially mention her boundless enthusiasm and love of teaching. Melissa exudes a passion for her job which is so evident to students and teachers alike, that we are all inspired by it......Mel loves working in a team and she is absolutely committed and dedicated to improving the quality of experiences available to students in our College. She is not afraid to take on any new challenge and is superbly well-organized and meticulous in all planning. She is without doubt in the top two percent of all teachers I have worked with."

Tony Gash

Lower School Principal

United World College of South East Asia

2004

"Although a relatively young teacher, her extensive training and desire to learn has made her one of the most popular teachers in the school community. Her interaction with her students and with teaching colleagues is a quality that sets her apart from others and made her a natural candidate for a leadership role."

Allan Forslund

Middle School Principal

International School Principal

2000

"After serving as a teacher for two and a half years here at Kedgley, I can say without reservation that Melissa is the finest professional teacher that I have worked with in twenty eight years, fourteen of those as a principal."

Paul Murphy

Principal

Kedgley Intermediate School

1998

"Melissa is an outstanding young woman of considerable integrity. She sets and achieves high standards for herself in dress, speech, and professionalism. She immediately impresses as a person with energy, drive, honesty and a commitment to her vocation and her culture. Melissa is warm, outgoing, and readily able to establish positive and effective relationships with those with whom she works."

Frances Langdon-Keogh

Associate Dean Primary Teacher Education

Auckland College of Education

1995