Parents

1. How to Access Compass:

Compass is accessible on any modern web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari) via a desktop computer or mobile device. iOS and Android apps are also available (search for Compass School Manager in the App Store). Some of the features of Compass are only available in the ‘browser’ version e.g. booking interviews, viewing the School Calendar by week/month, accessing ‘School Documentation’ and Learning Task Rubrics. If however, you tap on the menu icon in the app, there is an option to ‘Open in Browser’.

• To access Compass via your web browser on a desktop computer or mobile device:
  Go to https:// (link available on the CPS homepage)
• To access Compass via the App:
  Download the ‘Compass School Manager’ app and follow the prompts

1. How do I report an absence

Absences must be reported via the Compass Parent Portal on the day of absence (early in the morning or ahead of time where possible) – click below for instructions.

Via your desktop computer (or mobile device browser)

Via the app – an ‘Add Attendance Note’ link is now available in the app at the top of the News Feed.

2. How do I report lateness/leave during school hours?

This is done via the Kiosk at the Office when they arrive late or leave early.

If you do not enter an approval note advising us that your child will be late and your child arrives at school after 11.30am, you will receive an ‘Attendance Notification: Student Unaccounted For’ email asking you to enter an approval note on Compass.

See: Late Arrival and Leaving School During School Hours.

4. How do I enter an approval note for an ‘Unexplained Absence’?

If you receive an email or an alert at the top of your News Feed regarding an ‘unexplained absence’, it means that your child has been marked ‘Not Present’ but a reason for the absence has not been provided in Compass. It is a Department of Education and Training (DET) requirement that we have a reason for EVERY day a student is absent.

To enter an approval note for an ‘unexplained absence’:

Click on the attendance alert at the top of your News Feed (browser version of Compass only).

Select the ‘unexplained absence’ you wish to approve and then click on the ‘Explain with Note/Approval’ button (above ‘Activity Name’).

Enter the reason for the absence and click on ‘Save’.

Alternatively you can enter an approval note in the usual manner via the app or browser by changing the default ‘Start’ and ‘End’ dates to cover the date/s that are ‘unexplained’.

If you believe there is an error on your child’s attendance record or require assistance please email cheltenham.ps@education.vic.gov.au

Please note that approval notes for full-day absences should be entered on the day of absence or ahead of time where possible.

4. Can I delete or amend an approval note for an absence once it has been entered?

Parents cannot edit or delete approvals once they have been entered into Compass – please contact the school Office if an approval note has been entered in error.

1. How do I access the News Feed

The News Feed (My News) will appear (on the right-hand side of the screen) as soon as you log into the browser version of Compass. You can return to this page at any time by clicking on the ‘Home’ image in the toolbar at the top of the screen.

The News Feed appears on the ‘Home’ screen of the app (under the photo of your child/ren).

2. I am unable to open attachments in the Compass app, how do I fix this?

Logging in and out of the app will fix this issue. To log out, choose ‘Switch Accounts’ from the menu and then press and hold on the account displayed. A pop-up box will appear prompting you to remove the account. To log back in, click the “+” button to add your account.

3. How do I avoid a ‘Download Error’ when opening attachments?

When you tap on an attachment in the Compass app, a ‘radio’ button (circle) appears to the right indicating that the file is in the process of opening/downloading – it will then open automatically. If you tap on the radio button while it is in the process of opening, a ‘download’ error will occur.

1. How do I provide online consent/payment for excursions and incursions?

When an event requires consent/payment, an alert will appear at the top of the News Feed – click on the alert and follow the prompts.

IF NECESSARY, you can enter any additional/current information and different Parent/Guardian contact details before you ‘Submit Details’.

PLEASE NOTE:

If payment is required for a specific event/excursion, a payment section will appear for you to enter your credit card details – payment AND consent will then be processed in the one action and a receipt will be emailed to you.

If consent/payment is NOT received by the due date, you will no longer be able to provide online consent/payment and your child will be unable to participate/attend.

You can view your child’s events at any time by hovering over the Organisation menu (grid icon) in the Compass navigation bar and selecting ‘Events’

The green ‘Complete [See Details]’ button on the ‘Events’ page indicates that you have provided consent/payment for a particular event. If you click on the blue title of the ‘Event’ (left-hand column), the details of the event are revealed along with any attachments in the ‘Resources’ section at the bottom of the screen.

1. How do I view feedback on my child’s Learning Tasks?

You will be notified via the Compass News Feed when feedback on a ‘Learning Task’ is available.

To access via your BROWSER (on your desktop computer or mobile device):

Login to Compass and click on ‘Profile – Attendance, Schedule, Reports’ (next to your child’s photo).

Click on the ‘Learning Tasks’ tab.

Click on the appropriate task and select the ‘FEEDBACK’ tab.

To access via the Compass APP:

Open the app and tap on your child’s name/photo (top of the ‘Home’ screen).

Tap on ‘Tasks’ (in the task bar at the top of the screen).

Tap on the appropriate task and select the ‘FEEDBACK’ tab.

2. How do I know which is the most recent Learning Task?

The date Learning Task Feedback is made available will appear after the name of the Learning Task as follows:

Mathematics: Measurement and Geometry – 28/07/2017

If there is no date at the end of the Learning Task name, feedback is not yet available and the task has simply been listed for your information.

Learning Tasks appear in the order they were created within each subject and subjects are listed in alphabetical order.

1. How do I view/download my child’s Semester Reports?

Click on ‘View Academic Reports’ from the homepage (browser version) or tap on your child’s photo in the app, select the ‘Reports’ tab and then the report you wish to view/download.

2. How do I print and/or save my child’s Semester Reports?

1. How do i view the School Calendar?

To view the School Calendar (by day, week or month) access the browser version of Compass. From the Main Menu (tool bar at the top of the screen), select the ‘Calendar’ image (next to the ‘Home’ image).

TIPS!

If you ‘hover’ over a calendar entry, more information is revealed e.g. venue.
Click on the colour-coded tabs to hide/reveal layers in the calendar.
The calendar can be viewed by ‘week’ or ‘month’ – just click on your preference (top right of the screen).
Items that appear at the top of the calendar are either ‘all day’ events or times are yet to be confirmed.
The daily School Calendar for your child/year level can be accessed via the app by tapping on your child’s photo to reveal the ‘Dashboard’. Tap on the calendar button (bottom of the screen) to change the date as required if you would like to look ahead!

TIP!

If you tap on the menu icon in the app, there is an option to ‘Open in Browser’ which will enable you to view the School Calendar by week or month.

2. What do the abbreviations in the Schedule and calendar mean e.g. 9:00AM-06GEN_06B-SLC2-BAD?

9.00AM – Start of the school day

06GEN – Year 6, General

06B – Class 6B

SLC2 – Student Learning Centre, Room 2

BAD – First 3 letters of the teacher’s surname

This information is used for roll marking purposes (in Secondary Schools it is used more specifically to indicate different periods).

In the Calendar Module (accessed from the tool bar at the top of the screen in the browser version of Compass), you can click on your child/ren’s name to hide this information for easier viewing of school events/activities.

1. How do I book Parent-Teacher interviews?

When ‘Meet & Greet’ opportunities and Parent-Teacher Interviews are available for booking, you will be notified via email and instructions will be posted to the Compass News Feed.

1. How do I gain access to my Compass Login details?
Login details are emailed to new families once they have enrolled at BNPS. If you have not received your Login Details, please email: cheltenham.ps@education.vic.gov.au

2. Why doesn’t my child’s photo appear?
All student photos are updated annually following School Photo day. Your child’s photo will not appear if your child was not present for School Photos or if your child is in Prep and school photos haven’t been taken/received.

3. How do I update my email address & mobile number?
Upon first login you will be prompted to update this information. You can update this information at any time by accessing Tools (cog at the top right of the screen) > Update My Details (only available in the browser version).

4. Can a ‘push notification’ be sent to my mobile device when an item is posted to the News Feed?
Yes, go to: Settings (for your device) > Notifications > Compass and make sure that ‘Notifications’ are turned on. If ‘Notifications’ are turned on but push notifications are not coming through, delete the Compass app and then reinstall (search ‘Compass School Manager’).

5. How do I log out and back into my account?
To log out, choose ‘Switch Accounts’ from the menu and then press and hold on the account displayed. A pop-up box will appear prompting you to remove the account. To log back in, click the “+” button to add your account.

6. How do I change my password?
In the browser version of Compass, click on the cog (top right) > Change My Password.

7. How do I reset my password?
Please email cheltenham.ps@education.vic.gov.au to request a password reset.