School News
Introduction of new student information management system
This term Good Samaritan has introduced a new student information system called Compass that will impact parent communication with the school.
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 validation of student absences from school.
This management system has been rolled out across all Wollongong Diocesan Catholic primary schools
Below is some further important information about Compass.
What is Compass?
Compass is a Student Information System that allows you, as parents, access to your child(ren)’s records.
The Parent Portal allows parents/carers to:
- monitor your child(ren)’s attendance, and enter explanations for late arrivals or absences
- update your family details - mobile and email address
- download and view your child(ren)’s semester reports
- view ‘My News’- a news feed of school announcements, alerts and updates
- view the school calendar
- book parent-teacher meetings
- provide consent for events and excursions.
How can I get access?
Access can be gained following this link:
https://gsfmdow-nsw.compass.education/
- Every parent will have a separate account to log into the Compass Parent Portal
What can I get access to?
- The student's profile page
- Attendance pages where notes/approvals can be entered
- Full record history of the student’s attendance
- Academic reports for the student
- School Calendar
- Parent/Student/Teacher Conference bookings
What is ‘My News’?
The ‘My News’ section displays any 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
- semester 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 will display.
The next section deals with how you manage your child’s attendance at school.
Compass Parent Information: Attendance
Attendance
If your child has to be absent from school, arrive late or depart early, it is important to tell the school and provide a reason for your child’s absence. To explain an absence, parents and carers may:
- log into the Compass parent portal and enter an explanation
- send a note, email to the school
- telephone the school
- visit the school
All absences must be explained to the school. Schools are legally required to keep an accurate record of attendance. The New South Wales Department of Education and Communities may take further action in cases where children of compulsory school age have recurring numbers of unjustified absences from school.
Adding a Note or Approval
You can enter notes and approvals in advance, if you know your child is going to be absent from school. To do this go to your Home page and click on the 'Add Attendance Note/Approval' link listed underneath the name of the relevant student. This will take you to the Attendance screen, with a pop-up window to enter details of the note or approval. You can then select the applicable date range. If the leave is greater than 5 days you will still require Principal approval.
You can also approve your child's unapproved absences or late arrivals. You will receive an alert on your Compass home page letting you know that your child/ren was marked late or absent and there is no note/approval on the system for it. Clicking on this notification will allow you to add a Note or Approval for one or more absences.
On this screen you will see a list of unexplained absences for your child. Check the box next to the absences that are to be explained and choose to explain with note approval.
Choose the absent reason type from the dropdown list and a comment or further details. Please note that you cannot edit the notes or approvals once they've been saved, and you will need to contact the school if changes need to be made.
Parent Action: A hands on introduction to Compass will be conducted this evening at 6:30pm prior to the P&F meeting. Please join us in the Library to learn how to use Compass. There will be an additional meeting on Friday 9 August following assembly.