A note on E-Scooters

As we begin the 2026 school year, I extend a warm welcome to all our students, families, and staff both returning and new, who together make up our wonderful College community.

The start of a new year invites us to pause with gratitude and look ahead with hope, trusting that God will guide and bless our journey together. With this spirit, we look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and opportunities to serve others with kindness and purpose.

E-scooters

Recently, we have seen the number of students riding E-scooters to school increase. Unfortunately, over the past two years we have had two serious incidents involving E-scooters. I certainly understand that E-scooters are a convenient and efficient way for students to come to school, however, we need to ensure that students and parents are aware of the rules pertaining to the use of E-scooters. Please read the information below and I encourage both parents and students to ensure they are meeting the regulatory requirements for owning and riding an E-scooter.

E-scooter road rules

You can ride an e-scooter in Victoria, as long as you follow certain rules.

E-scooters that comply with specifications outlined in the Victorian road rules are now legal to use across Victoria.

All riders must follow the rules to keep everyone safe, including always wearing a helmet and never riding on footpaths or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Failure to do so could result in hefty fines or even the loss of your driver's licence.

It is against the law to ride an e-scooter on public land if it doesn't meet Victorian device requirements.

A legal e-scooter is a device which:

has a maximum speed of 25 km/h when ridden on level ground
transports one person while the person is standing or seated
has two wheels (one in front of the other)
has a footboard between the front and rear wheels
is steered by a handlebar, and
does not weigh more than 45kg.

You don't need a licence to ride an e-scooter in Victoria. However, your driver's licence can be affected if you ride an e-scooter while affected by alcohol or drugs.

What you must do

E-scooter riders must:

be aged 16 years or over
wear a helmet
ride at no more than 20 km per hour
ride on:
- shared-use paths
- bicycle paths
- roads with a speed limit of up to 60 km/h
use flashing or steady front and rear lights, if riding at night or in low light
park responsibly in a location that does not disrupt pedestrians or pose a safety hazard
keep to approved areas if using a hired e-scooter.

What you can't do

If you're riding an e-scooter, you can't:

ride on the footpath
ride an e-scooter capable of more than 25km/h
ride on roads with a speed limit above 60km/h
ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol (you can be breath tested and lose your licence)
use a mobile phone
carry passengers or animals
ride in tandem (side by side).

Child Safe Practices

As many of you know, we pay great attention to our obligations under Child Safe laws and regulations. I believe it is important that we spend some time in our Newsletter referring to some of the standards and I would encourage parents/guardians to go through these standards with their children. Regular reminding and reinforcement of what it means to be child safe and to empower our children to know how to keep themselves safe and how to respond if not safe is vitally important.

Child Safe Standard 1

Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.

In complying with Child Safe Standard 1, Lakeside College must, at a minimum, ensure:

1.1 A child’s ability to express their culture and enjoy their cultural rights is encouraged and actively supported.
1.2 Strategies are embedded within Lakeside College which equip all members to acknowledge and appreciate the strengths of Aboriginal culture and understand its importance to the wellbeing and safety of Aboriginal children and young people.
1.3 Measures are adopted by Lakeside College to ensure racism within the organisation is identified, confronted, and not tolerated. Any instances of racism are addressed with appropriate consequences.
1.4 Lakeside College actively supports and facilitates participation and inclusion within it by Aboriginal children, young people and their families.
1.5 All of Lakeside College’s policies, procedures, systems and processes together create a culturally safe and inclusive environment and meet the needs of Aboriginal children, young people and their families.

Prayer for the Care and Safety of Our School Community

Gracious and loving God,

We thank You for the gift of our school community and for every student, staff member, and family who is part of it. You remind us in Your Word that “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:1–3). Guide our school each day in those paths of care, wisdom, and compassion.

Lord, we ask for Your protection over our students and staff. As it is written, “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121:8). Watch over our classrooms, playgrounds, offices, and all the places where learning and community happen.

Give our teachers and staff wisdom, patience, and vigilance as they care for those entrusted to them. Help us all to look out for one another, to act with kindness and responsibility, and to create a place where every person feels safe, valued, and respected.

When challenges arise, remind us of Your promise: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Strengthen us to support one another and to work together for the wellbeing of all.

Bless our school community, Lord. May Your peace guard our hearts and minds, and may Your love shape everything we do.

We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Robert Tassoni - Principal

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