From the beginning…
“He who opens a school, closes a prison.”
OUR HISTORY
In October 2010, the Victorian Ombudsman’s report made a series of recommendations to improve conditions in the state’s youth custodial system. The report criticised the lack of education available to children and young people in detention, and changes to the precinct commenced in alignment with the reports’ recommendations.
Brendan Murray had a vision to provide education to Victoria’s youth that were a part of the youth justice system, detained in custody, or in the secure welfare environment. He joined forces with Maddie Witter as literacy consultant, and pitched the concept of Parkville College operating within the youth justice system, to the Victorian State Government.
On 31 July 2012, the Minister for Education formally established Parkville College. With operation to commence on 30 January 2013 across both the Parkville Youth Justice Precinct and the Malmsbury Youth Justice Precinct, which soon became known as Parkville College, Parkville and Malmsbury Campuses. Parkville College would operate for 52 weeks of the year.
Parkville College also ensured legislative requirements for children and young people in the care of the state were met. The College commenced operation with only six teaching staff, and now offer education by working in unison with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) and Department of Justice and Community Service (DJCS), across multiple facilities.
31 July 2012 - Minister for Education formally established Parkville College at Parkville and Malmsbury Youth Justice Precinct in response to recommendations from the Ombudsman Report in October 2010.
January 2013 - Parkville College officially commenced operation at both Parkville and Malmsbury Youth Justice Precincts, delivering the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) and the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE).
Term 1 2014 - Parkville College commenced operation at the Disability Forensic Assessment and Treatment Service (DFATS) facility in Fairfield, supporting people who display high-risk antisocial behaviour, and who are at risk of, or are already involved with the criminal justice system. Parkville College extended the Parkville Campus, creating the Flexible Learning Centre (FLC),
Term 2 2014 - Parkville College replaced the Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE in the provision of Vocational Education and Training (VET) subjects at the Malmsbury Campus.
June 2014 - Parkville College commenced the Education Justice Initiative, based at the Melbourne Children’s Court, supporting young people appearing before the courts, linking them with educational pathways through liaison and advocacy with schools, alternative settings and training providers, and engagement with young people and their families.
October 2014 - Parkville College commenced operation at the Secure Welfare Services (SWS), providing education to children who are at substantial risk of harm, and subject to a child protection order.
January 2015 - The Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre became the Malmsbury Youth Justice Precinct, and Parkville College began teaching on the secure side at the commencement of Term 1.
April 2017 - As of April 4, the (then) Department of Justice and Regulation (DJR) assumed responsibility for the Youth Justice Precincts at both Parkville and Malmsbury. The Department of Human and Health Services continues to be responsible for the Secure Welfare and The Disability Forensic Assessment and Treatment Service DFATS sites.
Late 2017 – Parkville College concluded delivering education at DFATS, as those at the site are not of a mandatory school age. Melbourne Polytechnic now provides academic support at DFATS
2018 - The Transitions Team was created and piloted at the Parkville Campus to assist students leaving custody navigate their reintegration into society through supported pathways. The Admissions Team was created to properly assess incoming students and direct their journey in our unique setting.
2019 - A Transitions Team was created at the Malmsbury Campus
Term 1, 2020 - The Elders Advisory Council (EAC) is established. The Flexible Learning Centre moves to Collingwood and is re-named O Street. The consortium campus is renamed Secure Care Services and O Street.
Term 1, 2022 - O Street moves to the heart of Fitzroy
Term 2, 2023 - the Victorian Government announced that after almost 60 years of operation, it would be closing the Malmsbury Youth Justice Precinct at the end of 2023. This would mean the closure of the 9-year-old Campus of Parkville College.
Term 3, 2023 – Cherry Creek Youth Justice Facility is opened by DJCS, and Parkville College commenced operation in partnership with the Gordon TAFE.
Term 4, 2023 - The Malmsbury Youth Justice Precinct officially closed.