Scotch College’s Dr Scott Marsh is known as the ‘part-time principal’

The headmaster of prestigious private school Scotch College is facing criticism that he is spending more time in Sydney than in Melbourne.

Since taking up the job at Scotch College in 2023, Dr Scott Marsh has angered some parents with controversial timetable changes. Picture: Tony Gough

One of Victoria’s most prestigious schools has denied it has a “part-time principal”.

Scotch College’s headmaster Scott Marsh has asserted his commitment to the historic school amid concerns he is spending too much time in his home town of Sydney.

Dr Marsh’s family continues to be based in Sydney, raising concerns he is not fully committed to the school, which has 370 full-time staff and nearly 2000 students.

Dr Scott Marsh has been accused of being a ‘part-time principal’.

Dr Marsh, formerly a principal of William Marsh College, was appointed to lead the 173-year-old school in 2022 after the leading candidate was sacked before he started.

Since taking up the job in 2023, Dr Marsh has angered some parents with controversial timetable changes and put himself at odds with some key members of the Old Scotch College Association.

Staff sources say Dr Marsh is known as the “part-time principal”.

His package includes a luxurious house on the school’s $243m Hawthorn campus.

“The students are noticing and commenting on his lack of attendance at other student activities,” one said.

“Staff keep wondering what the school council thinks about this.”

Another said: There is lots of scuttlebutt about Marsh spending more time in Sydney than in Melbourne”.

A spokeswoman for the college said Dr Marsh “takes his duties and responsibilities as the principal of Scotch College, a full-time role which extends well beyond a standard working week, extremely seriously and he is fully committed to delivering the highest standards of education for Scotch College students”.

“Dr Marsh remains full-time in Melbourne at the Scotch College campus, attending school events most evenings and weekends, including the boys’ sports fixtures.

“When he is not committed at Scotch on occasional weekends and during school holiday periods, Dr Marsh will travel to Sydney to spend time with family,” she said.

“As all Scotch College Principals before him, Dr Marsh has lived in the principal’s residence on the Scotch College campus since his appointment two years ago.”

It comes as three-yearly results of a staff satisfaction survey show teachers and other workers are 40 per cent less satisfied now than three years ago.

The school, which charges annual tuition fees of $43,000 in years 9-12, posted a $4.8m profit last year and has an annual income of $91m, including $8m in government grants.