Community

E-Bikes and Scooters

We have received the following letter from Victoria Police- Carrum Downs.

I have noticed a lot of E-bikes/scooters being ridden by school age children around our area. These devices are being ridden both on the road as well as footpaths, with many riders not wearing helmets or protective gear. E-bike/scooter related injuries have caused an increase in the number of Emergency Room visits, a large proportion of these are school aged children presenting with injuries such as broken bones, spinal injuries and serious head injuries resulting in ABIs (acquired brain injuries).

Children have been shown to take greater risks as they are still growing and have not achieved the brain development required to always make good decisions.

In 2025 and 2026 there has been a significant increase in Emergency Department admissions due to E-bike/scooter incidents. These stem from riders not wearing the appropriate safety protection, as well as misuse of illegal or modified bikes.

E-bikes/scooters are high powered, heavy transportation devices that require sensible decision making to avoid risk of injury to themselves and those around them in public. The Victorian Government creates legislation to govern the safe use of these devices and Victoria Police are responsible for enforcing the laws. You may not be aware of these laws, so I have put some of them below. The brackets contain some of the contributing factors as to why these laws were created.

E-scooter riders must:

• be at least 16 years old. (Under 16 yr olds not developed enough to make safe choices)

• not ride with a second person. (The brakes are not designed for this)

• not ride on the footpath. (Danger to pedestrians)

• wear an approved bicycle helmet. (High chance of head strike with footpath in collision)

• not travel faster than 20 km/h. (The faster they go the more dangerous they become)

• not travel on roads signposted above 60km/h. (High speed vehicles present a large risk)

• not use mobile phones while riding. (This is a massive distraction)

The above offences may attract fines of up to $611.

Some of the above laws are also relevant for E-bikes. EPACS (electric pedal-assisted cycles) are commonly used by food delivery riders and are legal. The ‘Surron’ branded style E-bikes are not pedal assisted and solely rely on battery power. These E-bikes often don’t come with pedals, just a throttle control. They are classified as a motorcycle and are illegal devices.

I’m asking parents to please consider the safety of their children when they are considering purchasing one of these devices for them and please reconsider. If your child is 16 or over and has an E-bike/scooter, please have a discussion with them about the importance of riding on the road, wearing a helmet and being safe.

Thank you for taking the time to read this message.

Please be aware that from Tuesday 12 May, the St Thomas Church Car Park will be unavailable for use.

If you regularly use the church grounds for pick up or drop off of students, please ensure you are mindful of the limited space and that the grounds belong to the church itself.

We appreciate the very limited parking around the college and we are fortunate to be able to use the church for drop offs and pick ups, however due to the surface of the car park, the area available for use will be restricted at the end of this term.

When students pass their test and are driving to school, they need to collect the Parent Permission and Driver Agreement form from Senior School. This is completed and handed back into Senior School. 

Students using Public Transport

We would like to remind students of the importance of following bus safety expectations when travelling to and from school.

Students are reminded of the following expectations:

• Tap on when boarding the bus using their travel card.
• Take a seat when one is available. Students should not remain standing when there are empty seats.
• Follow the directions of the bus driver and school staff.
• Remain seated while the bus is moving.

The bus is unable to depart while students are standing when there are available seats. When students choose to remain standing despite empty seats, it can result in other students also having to stand and can delay the bus from leaving.

Taking a seat when one is available helps ensure that all students can travel safely and comfortably and that buses can leave on time.

We ask all students to take responsibility for following these expectations and to be considerate of their fellow students. These simple actions help make the journey to and from school safer, smoother and more enjoyable for everyone.

Thank you to our students for helping us maintain safe and respectful behaviour on our school buses.

Youth myki

From 1 January 2026, public transport is now free for children aged between 5 and 17 years. To access free travel, all young people need to carry a Youth myki card and tap on and off each time they travel.

Youth myki can be purchased for $5 online via the Transport Victoria website or from a 

staffed station or the PTV Hub.

• Youth myki cards purchased online will be registered to the customer and will 

  expire when they turn 18.

• Youth myki cards purchased in person from a staffed station or the PTV Hub aren't registered and will expire in 4 years. 

  For a list of staffed stations and their operating hours, visit https://transport.vic.gov.au/plan-a-journey/public­ transport-tools-and-resources/traveI-tips-and-resources/staffed-train-stations

Children under 18 travelling on ticketed V/Line services require a paper ticket or e-ticket and must present their Youth myki to obtain a $0 ticket. On booked V/line services, the Youth myki card number can be used to access free travel.

2026 Transport Victoria ID and Student Pass

School students who are over 18 years and no longer eligible for Youth myki can use a Transport Victoria ID and Student Pass to access cheaper public transport fares. 

The application form is available to download now at transport.vic.gov.au/tickets-and-myki/myki/myki-types/students.

Traffic Safety

Students:

As we continue to focus on safety at our school, be reminded about the importance of being aware of your surroundings, especially during busy times like the end of the school day and before school.

Some students are crossing the parking areas and walking behind vehicles on College grounds which can be very dangerous. 

Please remember to use the designated crossing areas marked by yellow lines, and make sure to look both ways before crossing.

Additionally, please be mindful of your surroundings and avoid distractions, like looking at your phones, while walking. 

Your safety is our top priority, and we all need to do our part to keep our school environment safe.

Community:

As a community, we seek your support to ensure the safety of school children is a priority.  This is especially important in the peak morning and afternoon periods.  

Please be aware that Police will be increasing their presence around the College.  We seek your support to ensure you are obeying road rules, this includes:-

• Not exceeding the maximum 40kmph speed limit during designated school times
• Not stopping in the bus bay on Warrandyte Rd to let children out of your vehicle
• Not performing illegal U-turns
• Stopping at school crossings (which are controlled by Council School Crossing Supervisor staff)   

Parking

We kindly remind all parents and guardians to adhere to both respectful and legal parking practices when visiting or near the school premises. Respectful parking involves:

1. Avoiding Blocking Driveways: Please ensure that driveways and access points to residences and businesses are not obstructed by parked vehicles.
2. Being Mindful of Pedestrians: Pedestrian safety is paramount. Please refrain from parking on sidewalks or in a manner that forces pedestrians to walk on the road.
3. Following Traffic Regulations: Obey all traffic signs and regulations, including no-parking zones, handicapped parking, and loading zones.
4. Consideration for Neighbours: Remember that Cranhaven Road is a shared space. Being considerate of our neighbours ensures a harmonious relationship with the local community.

Legal parking practices are not only a matter of courtesy but also ensure the safety and accessibility of all community members. 

By respecting these guidelines, we contribute to a safer and more welcoming environment for everyone.

The Langwarrin Community Centre and Carwash (opposite the College) have raised their concerns about parents/carers that are using their car parks as a pick up/drop off  point. Both theLangwarrin Community Centre and the Easy Wash would like to respectfully request that EMC parents find an alternate place to collect their children. 

Do not use their carparks as a pick up and as a pick up/drop off point.

We would also like to reinforce that all traffic must adhere to the local speed limit traffic signs especially the 40Km speed limit during school times.

WORK EXPERIENCE HOSTS NEEDED

During 2026, all of our Year 10 students will participate in our Work Experience Program.  We would love to hear from our parent or community members who might be able to host a student for one week.  Where do you work? What sort of tasks and roles could a student observe and learn about?  Let us know in an email to begin the conversation.  Contact Russell Hobbs in the Careers Office (russell.hobbs@education.vic.gov.au)