Newsletter 

PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Erin Wright - Principal

STRIVE:

Well done to our students on all of their amazing achievements this past fortnight. A couple of stand outs were our Year 9 and Year 11 debating team who defeated their Geelong College opponents on the topic: 'Governments should subsidise regional travel.' Our Year 8 girls netball team defeated Matthew Flinders in the grand final 22-0, and our Year 8 football team played a great second game but unfortunately lost to the eventual grand finalist Oberon High School. Our students showed amazing teamwork and resilience. A reminder to families that Sport Support Australia (who facilitate the College’s Sports Academy Program) still have some after school fitness sessions available for students to participate in free of charge. We encourage parents/carers to support their child to participate in these opportunities as it promotes a healthy lifestyle for our young people, and also has a positive impact on their wellbeing.

 

 

UNITE:

Thank you to our community for uniting and showing your flexibility in the change of date of the Whole School Cross Country, which ended up running on Friday 14 May. Our Years 7-9 students completed this by either running, jogging or walking and it was an optional race for Years 10-12 students. Well done to our staff for all of their hard work and organisation in rescheduling this event, this couldn’t be done without you. An important focus from The Department of Education and Training (DET) is on motivating our young people to be happy and healthy. We would love our parents/carers to positively reinforce this daily and continue to motivate their child make positive choices for their physical and mental wellbeing.

 

RESPECT:

On Wednesday 19 May we had 3 members from the Victorian Police come on-site and present an information session about the legalities and safety associated with students riding electric scooters and mopeds to/from school. We had selected students and parents/carers to attend the session which they found very informative and learnt all about the safety requirements and road rules that are associated with these scooters. It is vital we teach our young people about these scooters and the safety around riding them, including the importance of wearing a helmet.

 

E Bikes 

A motorised bicycle is a motorcycle if:

  • The motor is not an auxiliary source of power (if the vehicle is accelerating or maintaining a steady speed on level ground or uphill without the rider pedalling, then the motor has become the primary source of power and it is no longer a bicycle)
  • The motor’s power output exceeds 200 watts (whether or not the motor is operating or unless certified as a Pedalec (250 watts)
  • To be under 200 watts a petrol engine would need to be smaller than that of a model plane’s, e.g. 200w = 0.26hp or approx. 4.42cc
  • The vehicle is powered by an internal combustion engine
  • If they have a motor with power of more than 200 watts or are able to travel at more  than 10 km/h on level ground, or have a petrol engine – then they are non-compliant) motor vehicles, and all relevant rules apply (licence, helmet, 0.05%).
  • Where the motor is not an “auxiliary” or “back up” source of power:
    • The rider will be required to hold a motorcycle licence, and
    • Have the vehicle registered

 

E-Scooters

•Motorcycles cannot be ridden on footpaths or bicycle paths

•Motorcycle riders must wear an approved motorcycle helmet

 

 

So, what are the issues?

 

These non-compliant devices are not exempted by Act, Rule or Government Gazette and are essentially motor vehicles.

These devices remain classified as non-compliant motor vehicles and that Road Safety Act, Road Rules Victoria and Crimes Act offences apply.

Riding them faster than 10km/ph can result in serious injury or a fatality if they are riding them in front of traffic and not wearing helmets .

 

 

FLOURISH:

This year is Surf Coast Secondary College’s 10 Year Anniversary. We are excited to 

announce there will be some celebrations, culminating in a fundraising event at the end of the year where past students, staff and parents/carers will be invited back to the College. A big thank you to everyone who has volunteered to be a part of the working party for these celebrations.