Fitzroy Community School principal Tim Berryman suspended after Covid outbreak

The principal of Fitzroy Community School has been suspended over fears he presents “a risk to children” after allowing students into classrooms during lockdown.

Fitzroy Community School Principal Tim Berryman has been suspended. Picture: Jason Edwards

The principal of a private Fitzroy North school has been suspended over fears he presents “a risk to children” after allowing dozens to attend on site classes during Covid lockdowns.

Fitzroy Community School principal Tim Berryman on Wednesday night dismissed the move as “another nuisance hoop to jump through.”

“All I’ve done is put children first,” he said. “I am confident that I will be cleared by any investigation.”

Mr Berryman was suspended on Wednesday by the teaching authority while it undertakes a formal investigation into whether he placed students and the wider community at risk of Covid.

An outbreak centred on the private Fitzroy North school has grown to 62 cases, including two which are still active.

Mr Berryman said three children had been “sick for more than a couple of days” but the rest were largely asymptomatic.

“All schools will have to go through this – it’s not a big deal for children to get Covid, but I tell parents to keep their kids away from unvaccinated grandparents,” he said.

“My approach has been ultra-cautious so that I could keep the school open as long as possible,” he said. “I’ve been fully within the rules for the whole of the lockdown.”

An outbreak centred on the private Fitzroy North school has grown to 62 cases. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Although the Victorian Institute of Teaching is yet to complete its investigation into Mr Berryman, the Herald Sun understands it deemed he “poses an unacceptable risk of harm to children” and an interim suspension was necessary to protect children.

The VIT register of disciplinary action has been updated to include Mr Berryman’s interim suspension dating from October 6.

Health authorities are also investigating Fitzroy Community School amid claims up to 77 students and teachers were onsite during lockdown.

Only children of essential workers or those considered vulnerable are eligible to attend on-site classes under Victoria’s lockdown rules.

Mr Berryman has previously stated that more than two-thirds of students were the children of authorised workers and the rest were vulnerable.

Mr Berryman had previously told parents he’d welcome all students on campus during lockdown, but was forced to retract this after police and public health inquiries.

A spokeswoman from the VIT said an investigation will be ongoing while the interim suspension is in place.