Scotch’s ‘initial response missed the mark in clarifying our position’, principal Scott Marsh says

New Scotch College principal Dr Scott Marsh has apologised to gay old boys “who felt ostracised” and has clarified the school’s stance on appointing gay student leaders.

Principal Dr Scott Marsh says ‘all students are welcome at Scotch, to thrive in whatever role they wish to pursue and will be shown genuine love no matter their sexual orientation’. Picture: Tony Gough

The new Scotch College principal has restated the school’s commitment to appointing gay students to leadership positions.

This is despite the school being run by a council dominated by the Presbyterian Church.

Dr Scott Marsh revealed an outpouring of concern from “gay old boys” about the Presbyterian Church’s stance on gay and sexually active students in a video message to the school community.

As the Herald Sun revealed earlier this month, the church’s submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission stated that such students should not hold leadership positions because they did not reflect the school’s Christian values.

Dr Marsh says there has been a huge response from ‘gay old boys’. Picture: Tony Gough

Dr Marsh said “many members of the Scotch family expressed their concern that Scotch might entertain the idea of discriminating against gay students or indeed staff in our process of appointing leaders”.

He said a “number of gay old boys have shared their stories with me and members of school council over the past few weeks”.

“They did not find the love and support we talk about as a key feature of the Scotch family,” he said.

“To those members of the Scotch family who felt ostracised, I am sorry.”

“At my previous school, where I was principal, I appointed gay people as prefects. I want leaders who will love and serve others and be excellent role models for all students.”

Dr Marsh, who only started at the school this year, acknowledged the college’s “initial response missed the mark in clarifying our position”.

The school’s first response was issued by council chair Alex Sloan, who has been under attack from a number of old scholars.

Dr Marsh said a second statement clarified that the school is run by the Scotch College council, not the church, and stated that the school does not tolerate discrimination of any kind towards any student or staff.

However, the Scotch College council has 17 members, all of which are appointed or approved by the Presbyterian Church.

This includes five members which are appointed directly by the Presbyterian Church, five that are nominated by the Old Scotch Collegian’s Association and appointed by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church and seven nominated by School Council and approved and appointed by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.

In the video, filmed with the school’s lush playing fields in the background, Dr Marsh admitted some gay students at the elite Hawthorn boys’ college found their school days lonely and difficult.

“Throughout our history, Scotch has also been a home for boys of different sexual orientations. Sadly, if we are to be honest, despite the good intentions of many, our home has not always welcomed, or been a place of comfort, for all students,” he said.

Dr Marsh said the school has a strong Christian heritage and that religious principles of love would be upheld at the school.

“We are all called to love others, therefore all students, let me say it again, all students are welcome at Scotch, to thrive in whatever role they wish to pursue and will be shown genuine love no matter their sexual orientation, religious, social or cultural background.

One “old boy” said it was a “polished performance by a principal in damage control”.

Another said it was “about time the school got the messaging right”.