Communications Update

1)  SCHOOL APP RETIRED – REPLACED BY SENTRAL FOR PARENT APP

Key Points

• we have retired our old School App
• we are now using the Sentral App for Parents
• we ask all parents/carers to download the Sentral App for Parents
• if you are already using the Sentral Portal (web browser) use the same log in for the App
• if you are not set up for the Portal then see Section 2 below

We are always looking to streamline communication between school, families and students - particularly in this dynamic digital age. Consequently we are making some changes that will better target our communications and reduce duplication. See our “Communications Guide” for a broad outline of our key channels and where to find specific information.

More specifically, we are are retiring our current School App (used on mobile devices) and moving forward with the Sentral for Parents app which provides mobile and seamless access to the Sentral Portal. Sentral is our student administration database that contains non-learning information for students & parents, such as: student profile, contact details, wellbeing, attendance, timetable, markbook, reports, calendar, etc.

Sentral can be accessed via a web browser via the Sentral Portal and on mobile devices via the Sentral for Parent app.

App Downloads: Apple Store  and Google Play

Videos: Sentral Overview and Notify Student Absence

The key features for Parents/Carers to access via the Sentral for Parent app include: notifying us of a student’s absence; student timetables; booking parent teacher interviews; direct messages from teachers; News Feed updates about notes, excursions, sporting fixtures, major events and term dates. These News Feed push notifications are simple, efficient and timely - appearing automatically on your device - and can contain images, actions and documents. 

Crucially, the News Feed function allows us to push notify the specific parents and carers of year groups, all excursions and sport activities and other groups so we can dramatically reduce irrelevant wide broadcast messaging. Therefore, it is very important that you download the Sentral for Parent app for your device from your online store.

2)  SETTING UP YOUR SENTRAL FOR PARENT APP ACCOUNT

# If you already have access to the Sentral Portal, you just need to download Sentral for Parents app from your device’s online store (see App Downloads above) and use your email and password for Sentral to login to the App on your phone.

# If you have requested access but not activated your Sentral account you should have an email with a one-time setup family activation key, please look for this email including in your junk email box with the title Parent Portal Access Key Registration. If you can’t find this email please call us on 6571 1199 to resolve things. Once you have set up your Sentral Portal access (browser based) then you can download the Sentral for Parent app (mobile device based).

# If you have never requested access to your Sentral account please visit the Technology page of our website for instructions and to start your request – again set up your Portal (web browser) account first before downloading the Sentral for Parents app.

Early in Term 3 we will be holding a Parent Technology evening covering parent access to Sentral, Canvas and other programs, details will be emailed home and promoted through Sentral and our Facebook page soon!