Politics · Australia · 1 hr ago
Scotch College principal apologises for failures over anti-abortion talk
At Scotch College in Hawthorn, an anti-abortion speaker addressed Year 11 boys in September as part of Christian education classes.
The school’s principal, Scott Marsh, apologised to parents after an internal review found failures in how the talk was arranged and managed.
The speaker, Dr Emma Wood, runs an organisation called Pro-Love Logic and gives presentations about abortion and sexual culture.
Marsh said the talk should have been treated as an external-speaker visit, outside the normal class timetable.
He apologised for the distress caused to some students and families, but not for the speech’s content.
The review made no findings against individual staff members and focused on procedures and how to address them.
A follow-up session will present a different perspective to the same Year 11 cohort this term.
Scotch College principal Scott Marsh apologised after an anti-abortion speaker addressed Year 11 boys in September.
An internal review found procedural failings in how the presentation was arranged and managed.
Marsh said the talk should have been classified as an incursion because an external speaker addressed students outside the normal class timetable.
He apologised for distress caused to some boys and families but not for the speech’s content.
The school plans a further session for the same cohort this term, presenting a different perspective.
- Who
- Principal Scott Marsh apologised to Year 11 students’ families after Dr Emma Wood addressed students.
- What
- An internal review found procedural failings in arranging and managing an anti-abortion presentation.
- When
- Wood spoke in September. Marsh sent his letter to parents on Friday, October 16, 2026.
- Where
- Scotch College in Hawthorn, Victoria.
- Why
- The review found the presentation was not properly classified and managed as an incursion involving an external speaker.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Dr Emma Wood spoke to Year 11 boys as part of the school’s Christian education curriculum.
Marsh sent a letter to Year 11 parents after commissioning an internal review.
The school plans to hold a further session for the same Year 11 cohort, presenting a different perspective.
- Speaker
- Dr Emma Wood
- School
- Scotch College, Hawthorn, Victoria
- Students addressed
- Year 11 boys
- Review finding
- Procedural failings in arranging and managing the presentation
- Planned follow-up
- A further session for the same cohort this term
What people are saying
I am ultimately responsible for activities involving our students,
We are sorry for the distress this caused some boys and families.
Everyone was taken aback … it wasn’t a discussion,