Admin Corner

Welcome back to another addition of the Admin Corner!

As our year is well underway,  I would like to take this opportunity to mention the importance of entering all student absences in Compass, with an explanation.

It is a requirement of the Department of Education that all students up to the age of seventeen attend school and if a child is absent due to an illness or being on holiday for example, that the absence be recorded and explained. This approach allows school staff to monitor student well-being and provide support to any families experiencing challenges affecting student attendance, as well as allowing staff to effectively plan for the day. 

Parents and guardians, we ask that you please enter Compass absences before 10am in the morning or the night beforehand.  Failure to do so will result in an automatic email message to you, advising that your child is absent from school without an explanation. 

For late arrivals, students are required to sign in at the school office where they will be given a late pass and their arrival entered into Compass. This will prevent the 10am email from being sent, while letting the classroom teacher know that the student’s arrival has been recorded in Compass.

If families are planning an extended holiday of more than three days, we require written notification via email, specifying the start and return dates of the student’s absence.  This should be sent to the classroom teacher, the school office (glen.waverley.ps@education.vic.gov.au) and our principal Mr. Frank Catalano (frank.catalano@education.vic.gov.au).

Since unexplained absences are regularly followed up by the office, from time to time you may receive a phone call from myself, asking you to promptly enter a note in Compass explaining your child’s absence. 

We highly encourage parents and guardians to log onto Compass to add your own attendance note. The link below includes step by step instructions on how to do so. 

https://www.glenps.vic.edu.au/page/142/COMPASS

This guide can also be found on our school website www.glenps.vic.edu.auunder the section ‘Parents and Topics COMPASS.’

In addition, a fortnightly letter will be distributed listing the dates of the absences that do not have explanations. Returning these to the office as soon as possible helps keep attendance records up to date.  

On a final note our lost property box is currently overflowing with unnamed clothing. 

Please be sure to check that your child’s uniform and belongings are clearly labelled with their full name.  This will ensure lost items are returned to students promptly. 

Thank you for your assistance in these matters. Should you have any questions please feel free to call the office on (03) 9802 9938 or to pop past for a friendly chat during our school office hours of 8am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.  We are happy to help.

Kind regards,

Jacinta Gaffy