Fitzroy Community School Co-Founder Faye Berryman Suspended by Teaching Watchdog

The Victorian teaching watchdog has suspended the teaching registration of Fitzroy Community School (FCS) co-founder Faye Berryman on an interim basis.

Ms Berryman, 82, established the alternative primary school in her family home on Brunswick Street 50 years ago with her husband, Philip O'Carroll. Her registration, under her married name Faye O'Carroll, has been suspended by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) "on an interim basis while it conducts its investigations" following multiple complaints from parents and former students. The VIT confirmed that Ms Berryman is "unable to teach in any school while suspended."

Ms Berryman, the school, and the FCS board did not respond to requests for comment.

Family Members and Staff Face Scrutiny

The regulatory action extends to other family members associated with the school. Ms Berryman's son, former FCS teacher Nick Berryman, is also suspended from teaching and is set to face a formal VIT hearing to determine if he will be stripped of his registration. Meanwhile, his brother, former FCS principal Tim Berryman, is under VIT investigation and has been found "unfit" to hold a senior position at any Victorian school, alongside Ms Berryman and their sister, Catherine O'Carroll.

Additionally, two other staff members have been stood down by the school amid ongoing police and regulatory investigations. School emails show that FCS has considered closing its Brunswick Street campus at the end of the school term.

Community Impact and Library Removals

In 2020, Ms Berryman was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for "significant" services to education. The Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General declined to comment on whether her award would be re-examined, stating that "All terminations and cancellations of appointments and awards in the Order of Australia are announced in the Government Gazette."

In addition to founding the school, Ms Berryman and her husband created the phonics book series, the Fitzroy Readers. Two local councils have recently removed these books from public libraries. Merri-Bek Shire Council withdrew the readers from its five libraries pending the completion of investigations. The City of Yarra removed them from Bargoonga Nganjin, citing its proximity to the school. A spokesperson for the City of Yarra said, "These books are no longer kept at Bargoonga Nganjin, due to its proximity to the school, as a courtesy to families in the neighbourhood who might genuinely find their presence on the shelves distressing,"

Police and Independent Investigations Underway

Victoria Police is currently reviewing multiple sexual abuse allegations made at the school. While declining to comment on whether a specialized taskforce would be allocated, a spokesperson stated that the issue is under "ongoing review." The spokesperson added that "Victoria Police continually assess the nature, scale, and complexity of investigations and will allocate resources as required," and urged "anyone with information relating to criminal offending to come forward, regardless of how long ago the alleged conduct occurred."

A group of former parents has written to Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush, requesting that officers proactively contact all former students.

FCS has hired Simon Davies, a former Australian Federal Police detective and director of Safeguarding Services, to conduct an independent investigation. Mr Davies will assess whether the allegations happened on the "balance of probabilities" and report to the school's head. Referring to the process, Mr Davies said, "They [the school] then report the findings back to the [Victorian] State Services Regulator," adding, "The days of old are sort of gone where things could be brushed under the carpet. You've got a regulator monitoring my process, the school's process."

However, Mr Davies noted that his investigation requires clearance from law enforcement. "There's a number of criminal allegations that have been made so we have to be guided by Victoria Police," he said, explaining that "We are in discussions with Victoria Police as to what they may or may not let us do." He urged victim-survivors to come forward, stating, "We're keen to get to the truth, whatever that looks like," while the VIT has also invited anyone with information or concerns to make contact.