ABOVE : SCHOOL CAPTAIN DION WHITFIELD , SCHOOL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN , MR ALEX SLOAN (' 71 ), SCHOOL PRINCIPAL DR SCOTT MARSH , AND SCHOOL COUNCIL VICE CHAIRMAN , REV DR JOHN WILSON
To quote from the Chair of Council at William Clarke College : ‘ Scott is very much about inclusivity and diversity – he leads through his Christian values ’. I then turned to the trait of devotion . When I referred to devotion in this context I was referencing the devotion of one ’ s professional life to education . For 30 years , Dr Marsh has been entirely committed to his career in education , since graduating from Sydney University ’ s Conservatorium of Music in 1991 .
During the first 13 years of Dr Marsh ’ s career , he concentrated his efforts in the field of music and creative arts , culminating in his appointment as Director of Music at The King ’ s School in Parramatta in 2004 . By 2005 , Dr Marsh ’ s abilities on a broader front had been recognised with his appointment as Director of Studies , Teaching and Learning at Sydney Church of England Co-educational Grammar School , Redlands , before his subsequent appointment as Deputy Headmaster at William Clarke College in 2008 .
Along his journey , Dr Marsh ’ s devotion to education has also enabled him to complete a Masters and a PhD focused on the improvement of learning outcomes in schools .
There is a vital theme in a Scotch education that we can be confident is embraced by our new Principal . Through a diverse program of scholastic and Christian teaching , we encourage each student to achieve the highest standard of which he is capable in all his activities , and the full development of his personality , with a focus on nurturing and developing the growth of the whole boy , that includes physical and artistic pursuits and a high view of service .
Dr Marsh ’ s lifelong musical passion and sporting background in rugby clearly demonstrate his personal embrace of the philosophy of ‘ nurturing and developing the whole boy '. We are indeed delighted that Dr Marsh ’ s devotion to the education cause has now led him to the gates of Scotch College .
I moved then to the trait of vision . Scotch has been well served indeed through the vision displayed by its former Principals . From humble beginnings , the vision of Robert Lawson , Alexander Morrison and William Littlejohn saw the school grow dramatically and relocate from East Melbourne to its current site in Hawthorn in its first 70 years .
More recently Dr Gordon Donaldson AM , our eighth Principal , who attended the installation service , showed great vision during the 1980s and ’ 90s with the addition of the Lithgow Centre , the Cardinal Pavilion and the James Forbes Academy , which have greatly enhanced the school ’ s progress academically , in the performing arts and rowing .
Our new Principal has already displayed his visionary capabilities in his previous role . As Principal of William Clarke College , Dr Marsh led a five-pronged set of initiatives that have significantly improved academic performance , remodelled the curriculum , overhauled the organisation structure , defined a new college-wide culture and undertaken the design and building of the largest project in the college ’ s history .
Finally , I turned to the trait of dedication . We live in turbulent times , where the rate of change around us in our daily lives is , at times , breathtaking . The role of a Principal is not insulated from this condition : in fact , it is fully exposed to it on a daily basis . Coping with , and adapting appropriately to change , has made the Principal ’ s role a truly 24 / 7 occupation and one not to be undertaken by the faint-hearted .
In Dr Marsh , I believe we have a person who has demonstrated the drive , perseverance , judgment , courage and dedication required for success . Indeed , the Marsh family has already made a huge commitment in moving to Melbourne from Sydney and now residing on ‘ the Hill ’. I welcomed Dr Marsh ’ s wife , Anna and children Stella and Denzel to the Scotch Family , thanking them for their dedication and commitment to making this move a success .
It then only remained for me to offer the Scotch Family ’ s very best wishes to our 10th Principal . I assured Dr Marsh that he has the full support of all of us as he embarks on this endeavour , and our confidence in his traits of respect , devotion , vision and dedication which will be so critical to our shared success .
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