Thank you to the parents who have been able to attend one of our parent workshops for the new COMPASS system. This management system has been rolled out accross all Wollongong Diocesan Catholic Primary schools and will impact parent communication with the school.

We have 2 more workshops available to parents on Thursday 5th September at 2.30pm and Tuesday 10th September at 6.30pm.

It is most important that all parents have a very good understanding of this system as it will replace the Skoolbag app and will be the primary method of communication with the school. This includes accessing student academic reports next semester and parent vaildation of student absences from school.

Below is some further information about Compass.

What is Compass?

Compass is a student information system that allows you, as a parent, access to your child(ren)'s records.

The Parent Portal allows parents/carers to:

• monitor your child's attendance and enter explanations
• update your family details - mobile and email address
• download and view your child's semester reports
• view 'My News' - a news feed of school announcements, alerts and updates
• view your school calender
• book parent/teacher interviews
• provide consent/payments for events and excursions

What can I get access to?

• student profile page
• attendance pages where notes/approvals can be entered
• full record history of student attendance
• academic reports
• school calender
• parent/student/teacher conference bookings

What is 'My News'?

The 'My News' section displays and applicable reminders or notifications which may include:

• outstanding absences or late arrivals that require a note or approval
• parent/student/teacher conferences that are available for booking
• semseter reports that are available to download
• excursions or events that require consent and/or payment
• news feed items that have been targeted to you as a parent

Attendance

If your child has to be absent from school, it is important to tell the school and provide a reason for your child's absence. To explain an absence, parents and carers can log into the Compass parent portal and enter an explanation. Once you have entered the absence, teachers and office staff have access to this information. Leave of 10 days or greater, requires Principal Approval and these forms can be obtained from the school office.

If your child arrives late to school or will be departing early, they must be accompanied into the office by a parent.

Schools are legally required to keep an accurate record of attendance. The NSW Department of Education and Communities may take further action in cases where children of compulsary school age have recurring numbers of unjustified absences from school.

You can enter notes and approvals in advance if you know your child is going to be absent from school.

How do I get access?

Instructions are on the attached documents, however, if you require any further assistance or you have not received your Compass Portal Login letter please contact the office. Every parent will have a seperate account to log into the Compass Parent Portal.