Victorian teaching watchdog raids alternative primary school

Victoria's teaching watchdog has raided an alternative primary school at the centre of child sexual and physical abuse allegations, simultaneously inspecting its two inner-city campuses.

Authorised officers from the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) made the unannounced visit to Fitzroy Community School's campuses in North Fitzroy and Thornbury about 11am. 

The ABC understands the watchdog was checking whether any teachers were unregistered and whether enough staff were supervising children.

It is a rare step for the VIT to use its authorised officer powers. 

The power allows the watchdog's investigators to enter a school to search the premises and seize documents. 

Today's raids follow the ABC's reporting of historical allegations of sexual abuse, a sexualised culture, and concerns about physical discipline that allegedly turned violent.

The regulatory action comes as sisters Gretel and Kirsten (surnames not used to protect their privacy), who blew the whistle on alleged sexualised conduct, lodge the first civil claim over sexual abuse allegations in Victoria's Supreme Court. 

In August, three staff members were found unfit to hold a position of authority in the Victorian education system following an investigation by regulators into child safety and governance concerns.

Later that month, the VIT suspended the school's co-founder, Faye Berryman.

She is the second teacher from the school to be suspended after her son, Nick Berryman, was suspended in September last year.

His brother, former principal Tim Berryman, remains under investigation.

The ABC also understands the VIT is currently investigating a third teacher for physical abuse allegations against a child this year.

A Victorian Institute of Teaching spokesperson said the organisation was "focused on the safety and wellbeing of children and young people".

"The VIT can confirm that authorised officers attended Fitzroy Community School today as part of VIT's regulatory functions," the spokesperson said.

Enrolment rates decline 

The raid follows the resignation of the school's former principal, Craig Dowell, earlier this month, and board chair Clare Myers and board member Peter Behrendorff in September.

Current acting principal Miranda Frankel is the former partner of Sean O'Carroll, the son of the school's co-founder.

"I want to acknowledge the ongoing media attention the school has received this year," Ms Frankel wrote to parents in an email on Monday, October 12.

"This attention has been challenging for our whole school community, in particular families and staff. Unfortunately, we cannot rule out the possibility of further media coverage."

New school board member Emily Fishman is another former partner of Mr O'Carroll.

The board and Ms Frankel did not respond to the ABC's questions.

The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority declined to answer questions about the school's new arrangements; however, the ABC understands it is aware of the recent changes.

"The school is working transparently with regulatory authorities and continues to work with our independent investigator to conduct a thorough review of the allegations," Ms Frankel said in her email to parents. 

Federal school data from 2025 shows there were about 98 students at both Fitzroy Community School campuses.

The ABC understands that figure has dropped significantly, with numerous families leaving the Brunswick Street campus specifically.

The federal education department said it would take the outcome of Victorian regulators' investigations into consideration when determining whether Fitzroy Community School remained a "fit and proper" school. 

"It would be inappropriate for the department to comment further on active compliance matters," a spokesperson for the federal Education Department said.

The state government has been contacted for comment.