Alternative school founding family banned from senior roles
The founder and two other senior staff members of an alternative Melbourne school are found unfit to hold a position of authority in the Victorian education system following an investigation by regulators into child safety and governance concerns.
Three individuals connected to Fitzroy Community School in Melbourne have been barred from holding influential positions within the Victorian education system due to their alleged involvement in child safety and governance issues. Established in 1976, the alternative school underwent three investigations by the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) in recent years.
A six-month ABC investigation uncovered historical allegations of sexual abuse, a sexualized atmosphere, and concerns regarding physical discipline escalating into violence. The VRQA has now notified Fitzroy Community School founder Faye Berryman, her son Tim Berryman, and her daughter Catherine O Carroll that they can no longer occupy authority roles at any Victorian school.
The decision comes after a second review by the VRQA, which imposed conditions on the school's registration, including the requirement to share board meeting minutes with the regulator and report complaints within 24 hours. The school's director, Phillip O Carroll, was previously removed from the board in 2023 following VRQA orders.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
