Tim Bland, Student dean, Years 7-10, Snowy Mountains Grammar School
Student dean, Years 7–10
Snowy Mountains Grammar School, NSW
Energetic, committed and highly regarded among the school population and wider community, Tim Bland is a staff member at Snowy Mountains Grammar School.
Early in his teaching career, Bland became head of sport at the school, and his leadership qualities began to shine through. Together with the snowsports committee, he created the Elite Snowsports Academy, a program that endeavours to provide the highest level of academic, pastoral and logistical support to its snowsport athletes, allowing them to participate in full-time on-snow training programs at Perisher and Thredbo ski resorts, while also attending a majority of normal timetabled classroom lessons.
The award-winning program (recognised by The Educator in the 2017 Innovative Schools report) facilitates students’ ability to pursue professional athletic goals without compromising their academic pathway. For two years, Bland has successfully led the program, which is said to demand a high level of stakeholder engagement, prioritisation and duty of care.
This year, Bland moved into the role of dean of students for Years 7 to 10 – a new role within the school focused largely on student wellbeing. He is working diligently to help the school transition to a holistic-school approach, which will again require his strong leadership skills.