New Scotch College principal Matthew Leeds terminated over misconduct allegations

Rumours are swirling within the state’s top schools over how dumped Scotch principal Matthew Leeds landed the prestigious job.

Scotch College had dumped new principal Matthew Leeds amid an investigation into conduct at Geelong Grammar.

An executive recruitment firm charged with finding leaders for the nation’s most exclusive private schools was hired to find Scotch College’s new principal last year.

Kathy McLean from the company Fish and Nankivell led the search that saw Matthew Leeds hired and then terminated before he started this year as the school’s principal.

Ms McLean helped find principals at Geelong Grammar, St Kevin’s College and Scotch College in Adelaide.

The firm is currently involved in finding new leaders for Methodist Ladies’ College, Camberwell Grammar and Presbyterian Ladies’ College.

Just days before he was due to take up the post, Scotch College became aware through a whistle blower that Mr Leeds faced misconduct allegations in 2017 at his former school, Geelong Grammar.

The allegations levelled against Mr Leeds were investigated in 2018 and he was cleared.

Scotch College hired a Melbourne law firm to investigate the claims, which centred on “the maintenance of proper professional standards and boundaries”.

Although the school did not establish the truth of the allegations, it decided to sack its new recruit, understood to be earning at least $500,000 a year.

Matthew Leeds has been terminated from his role as the new principal.

A statement was issued by the college about the termination.

In a statement to the Scotch community, chairman Alex Sloan said the school council put the allegations to Mr Leeds, who “strenuously denied” them.

But the appointment was terminated in the school’s best interests, the statement said.

Rumours are swirling within the state’s top schools about how Mr Leeds was chosen given that educational institutions must be satisfied that applicants disclose “any current or past investigations that would make him/her unsuitable for employment with children”.

Scotch College has only had nine principals in its 170-year history and its current head Tom Batty came from Eton College in the UK.

Questions are also being asked about what was known or disclosed by Mr Leeds’ referees, which did not include the current principal at Geelong Grammar, Rebecca Cody.

The Herald Sun has obtained a copy of the job description which states that the new Scotch College principal must be a member of the Presbyterian Church, committed to “modelling servant leadership” and a “passionate, energetic and creative educator who values and reinforces the School’s strong foundations of Christian belief, tradition, and values”.

When Mr Leeds was announced as the new principal of Scotch in November last year he said he was “deeply honoured” to take on the new role.

“I am inspired by Scotch’s rich history, commitment to excellence and an emphasis on service that comes from its Christian foundations,” he said.

Mr Leeds is also not currently registered as a teacher with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.

He is also not listed on the VIT register of disciplinary action which is a list of the actions taken against registered teachers.

Scotch College only selected Leeds in November after a global search. Picture: Tony Gough

‘IMPROPER CONDUCT’ ALLEGATIONS BEHIND SCOTCH TERMINATION

The incoming principal of Scotch College has been sensationally dumped before he even started, after an investigation into conduct at his former employer, Geelong Grammar School.

Scotch College released a statement confirming they had terminated their contract with incoming principal Matthew Leeds after the school “received information from a whistleblower involving allegations that Mr Leeds engaged in misconduct” relating to his time at Geelong Grammar.

The allegations “include matters concerning the maintenance of proper professional standards and boundaries”.

The school not only reported the allegations to appropriate authorities but appointed a major law firm to conduct an investigation.

Earlier, parents at Geelong Grammar - the state’s most expensive private school - were contacted by the college advising them that former teacher Matthew Leeds was the subject of on an ongoing probe.

“I can share that GGS has been assisting Scotch College with an investigation into allegations regarding Mr Leeds’ conduct while employed at GGS,” the letter said.

“GGS is not yet privy to any findings or specific outcomes related to that investigation”.

The letter from principal Rebecca Cody said Geelong Grammar “continues to liaise with appropriate authorities about any further steps”.

“We are in communication with Scotch College to obtain any and all information which may be relevant to GGS,” it said.

The letter said the school’s “primary concern at this time is for the privacy and wellbeing of any student directly affected by these matters, and ensuring proper processes are followed.”

Geelong Grammar principal Rebecca Cody.

Ms Cody issued a letter to parents about the school’s involvement in the Scotch investigation into Mr Leeds.

The prestigious Hawthorn high school only selected Leeds two months ago following a global headhunt.

He was appointed the 10th principal of Scotch College in November and was set to the take the reins as the head of the secondary boys school in the middle of this year.

His selection was prompted by the departure of Tom Batty, who stepped down as principal following a 13-year tenure at the school.

However, in a letter sent to staff and families, Scotch College Council said it will no longer appoint Mr Leeds but it did not specify the reasons behind its change of heart.

“In making the decision Council has sought to act in accordance with the best interests of the School, our students, families and the broader Scotch community of which you are a vital part,” Council chair Alex Sloan said.

“We will now proceed with the appointment of a new candidate for the position and I look forward to updating you in due course.”

Mr Leeds had previously served as Director of Studies at Sydney Church of England School (Shore) and held leadership roles at Geelong Grammar and St Andrew’s Cathedral School in Sydney.

Upon his appointment as principal of Scotch College in November, Mr Leeds said he was inspired by the school’s “rich history, commitment to excellence and an emphasis on service that comes from its Christian foundations.”

He said generations of the school’s graduates had gone on to make a significant contribution to the wider community.