Data Analytics, System Information

SIMON is Getting a New Look – What Parents Need to Know
During the Term 2 break, on Tuesday 16 July, our school’s SIMON platform will receive a major mandatory update. After this date, the current version will no longer be available.
While PAM (Parent Access Module) will remain unchanged, we’re encouraging parents to be aware of the update so you can help support your child as they adjust to the new layout.
Key Changes Students Will See
1. A New Way to Access SubjectsThe SIMON homepage now includes a Learning tab that opens a clear list of a student’s subjects. Each subject tile provides quick access to:
- Course Overview
- Topic Resources
- Tasks
- Lesson Plans
This streamlines how students get to the material they need for class.
2. “Pins” for Quick Access
Students can now pin frequently used pages — like certain subjects or task lists — using a small pin icon next to the page title.These pages will then appear in the Pins tab, providing easy access from anywhere in SIMON.
3. Task Overview Panel
A new dashboard panel called the “Welcome Widget” (a “Blue Box”) gives students a snapshot of their current workload, showing:
- Tasks due
- Overdue tasks
- Resubmissions
- Assessment results
- New daily messages
Clicking on any of these opens a detailed breakdown, helping students stay on top of their responsibilities.
How Parents Can Help
Again, PAM will remain exactly the same for parents — no interface changes will affect how you log in or access information. However, we encourage you to:
- Let your child know about the upcoming changes
- Prompt them to explore the Learning tab, Pins feature, and dashboard panel once it’s live
- Support them in adjusting to the updated system after the break
Video Guides Coming Soon
To help students and staff prepare, short video walkthroughs of the new SIMON interface will be shared before the end of Term 2. These will explain how to use the new layout step-by-step.
If your child has questions or needs help navigating the new layout, the IT team at St Mary’s is ready to assist. We’ll continue to send reminders as we approach the July 16 changeover.
For more information about the new SIMON UI, Visit the Simon Knowledge Hub website at: https://simon-knowledge-hub.refined.site/space/SHG/3071246337/SIMON+Workdesk+Student+View
Oliver Fairweather
Information Systems Management Support Officer