Engagement,
Wellbeing & Inclusion Report
Heather McClure
Stay Connected with Your Child's Learning via Compass
A friendly reminder to regularly access Compass, our online portal that keeps you informed and connected with your child’s learning journey at Woodmans Hill Secondary College.
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Through Compass, you can:
Submit online permission forms and payment for excursions
View student timetables and reports
Stay up to date with newsletters and important school communications
Notify the school of student absences
Email your child’s teachers directly
Did you know? Compass is your one-stop platform for all key school information—accessible anytime, anywhere.
If you’ve forgotten your login or need help navigating Compass, please contact our front office on (03) 5336 7264 and we’ll be happy to assist.
Attendance and Student absences
At Woodmans Hill Secondary College we prioritise regular school attendance. We will work with families to ensure students are in class with their peers and teachers and enjoying all the benefits that brings.
Attending school every day means experiencing what counts – the learning, friendship, fun and opportunities that can shape your child’s future.
We understand that there are times when your child will need to miss school but to ensure minimal disruption to their education, please consider scheduling family holidays or medical/dental appointments outside of school time. If your child is well enough to attend but is worried about friendships, schoolwork or exams, please encourage them to come to school. Avoiding school can make these feelings worse and can create a negative pattern of behaviour.
If your child is having difficulty attending school, talk to their Homegroup Teacher or Year Level Leaderabout getting support.
We know that parents and carers can be juggling challenges daily to get your children to school. If your child must miss school, notify us as soon as possible via compass, text or phone so we can work together to support them.
What should I do if my child is going to be absent?
If your child is sick or absent, you are required to notify their school as soon as possible on the day of absence using one of the following methods:
Online: log the absence directly using Compass.
Telephone: the school office and let the staff know your child’s name, class, date of absences and reason.
Text: We now have a dedicated text line on 0498 464 155 which you can use. In your text please include, your child’s name, class, date of absences and reason.
Notifying the school of your child’s absence either prior to, or on the day that they will be away, helps ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and will fulfil your legal responsibility.
Why do I need to notify the school if my child is absent?
Schools need to know when and why a child is absent and you need to know if your child isn’t at school.
From the end of Term 2 2018, all Victorian government schools are required to contact parents/carers as soon as practicable on the same day of an unexplained student absence. If your child is absent on a particular day and you have not contacted the school to explain why, the absence will be marked as unexplained.
This system also promotes daily school attendance. Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education, they learn new things every day – missing school puts them behind.
What is your responsibility?
You are legally required to ensure your child attends school every day or you must provide an explanation for their absence. You should let the school know in advance of any upcoming absences or let them know in the morning if your child won’t be at school. In order for schools to implement the same day notification requirement, it’s essential that you provide the school with your most up-to-date contact details.
Generally one notification will be sent per family. Should there be circumstances that require both parents and carers to be notified, please contact the school to make the necessary arrangements.
What is the school’s responsibility?
The school must notify you of an unexplained absence in relation to your child as soon as practicable on the same day.
Schools will let you know either by your school’s online communications app, SMS, phone call or email. If you can’t be reached because the school does not have your correct contact details (i.e. changed phone number, SMS/email failure notification received etc.), the school will attempt to make contact with any emergency contact/s nominated on your child’s file held by the school. Where possible, this contact will be made on the same day of the unexplained absence.
Remember, Every Day Counts.