Parent Info
Compass
Compass is a school management platform which we commenced implementing at Yarra Road in 2018. Compass offers many features and is a great communication tool used across many schools.
Logging into Compass
Compass is a web-based system that is accessible from any modern web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, or Safari) or by using the Compass iOS app or Android app which we highly encourage our families to download.
Each family receives a separate login to Compass which will be provided to you upon commencement at Yarra Road Primary School. By regularly logging in to Compass you will be kept well informed about what is happening at Yarra Road including information specific to your child.
Compass Parent Portal will enable you to:
- Access your child’s Student Progress and Semester Reports
- Book your Parent/Student/Teacher conferences
- View up-to-date class and school attendance information
- Approve or enter upcoming or past absences for your child
- Download, print and consent upcoming excursions
- Pay school charges and contributions
- Update your registered email and mobile number (used for SMS alerts)
- Access information regarding upcoming events and news
For Compass Support please email the school at yarra.road.ps@education.vic.gov.au
School Term Dates
2023
Term 1
27 January (students start 30 January in government schools) – 6 April
Term 2
24 April – 23 June
Term 3
10 July – 15 September
Term 4
2 October – 20 December
2024
Term 1
29 January (students start 30 January in government schools) – 28 March
Term 2
15 April – 28 June
Term 3
15 July – 20 September
Term 4
7 October – 20 December
2025
Term 1
28 January (students start 29 January in government schools) – 4 April
Term 2
22 April – 4 July
Term 3
21 July – 19 September
Term 4
6 October – 19 December
Canteen & Uniforms
Online ordering for the Canteen and Uniform Shop is here!
We have partnered with Flexischools, to make school lunches and ordering uniform even easier.
We hope this step forward will support families with a more convenient and efficient process of placing orders.
- Order online at anytime
- Enjoy cashless convenience
- Pay with Visa, Mastercard, Paypal or direct deposit
Please click on the green icon to place an order.
Canteen
Our School Canteen is open each Friday during the school term.
The Canteen is operated by Caroline Bassett, our Canteen Manager and Lisa Kemp who have both had children through the school and are now apart of our valuable staff. Caroline and Lisa both have a high experience and knowledge in delivering an exceptional Canteen service.
We have an extensive menu offering healthy and nutritious foods. Throughout the school year we also hold special lunch days, including Footy Day and Pancake breakfast.
For all Canteen enquiries please email Caroline – canteen@yarrardps.vic.edu.au
Uniform Shop
Our Uniform Shop is located inside our School Gym.
Please note the below times are our usual opening hours, due to COVID-19 our Uniform Shop will be run online on a pre-order basis. If you wish to place an order please click on the flexischools green icon above.
Opening times during the school term:
- Tuesdays 8:45am – 9:15am
- Thursdays 3:15pm – 3:45pm
For all Uniform Shop enquiries please email Lisa – uniformshop@yarrardps.vic.edu.au
Before & After School Care
TheirCare – Where kids love to be!
Our school has partnered with an independent provider TheirCare to provide Before, After and Holiday Care services to our school community.
The program services children in the school from 7:00am in the morning until 9.00am and operates from 3:30pm each day until 6:00pm.
During school holidays the service will operate from 7:00am until 6:00pm.
Families wishing to use this service can visit the TheirCare website: http://theircare.com.au/.
Families are also eligible for a Government rebate which reduces the cost per session. Further information can also be obtained by contacting the school or ringing TheirCare on: 1300 072 410.
TheirCare provides a stimulating and safe environment for all children and an environment where children enjoy their time in their program. During sessions children develop life skills, friendships, confidence and creativity through play.
After School Basketball
Yarra Road Primary plays a major role in the After School Basketball Competition run by the Kilsyth Basketball Association. Our program begins in Year 1 and runs all the way through to Year 6; most years we have around 20 boys and girls teams in total. All games are played at Lilydale or Kilsyth Stadium on weeknights between 4:30pm and 6:30pm.
Playing for the Yarra Road Basketball Club is a great way for students to learn how to play basketball and develop their skills, fitness and coordination in a fun and safe environment with their friends. It is a great lead in to other sporting opportunities and teaches the players good sportsmanship, respect and resilience.
The Roy Beale Medallion is awarded to students who play continuously from Year 1 through to Year 6 and is a highly sought after award.
To view the After School Basketball fixture please head over to the Kilsyth Basketball Stadium website, we have left the link below for your convenience.
School Council
All government schools in Victoria have a school council. The school council is the group of people who govern the school. It is given the power to set the key directions for the school, and is a legal entity in its own right. A school council directly influences the quality of education that a school provides to its students.
The role of school council is outlined in the Education and Training Reform Act 2006. In essence, the role of school council is one of setting the long term future for the school and maintaining oversight (not management) of the school’s operation.
Membership of the School Council at Yarra Road Primary School consists of 15 Councillors – 8 Parents, 5 Department of Education & Early Childhood Development (DEEDC) representatives (i.e., Teachers) and 2 Community members – typically nominees from the Parent’s Association. The school Principal always occupies one of the DEEDC positions.
Each year approximately half the councillors retire and elections are held in March to elect new Councillors. Councillors are nominated and elected to membership for 2 year terms by the School Community in accordance with the DEEDC guidelines. Details of the election procedure and a call for nominations are published in the school newsletter and published on the school website in February of each year.
There are no prerequisites for school council membership. Parent members on school council bring their experience as parents at the school and the views of the wider school community to school council meetings. DEECD employees bring their educational expertise to school council meetings. An interest in your child’s education is all that is required. School Council meets in our Staff Room on a Monday evening at least eight times a year and meetings are normally around 1½ hours in duration but depends on the amount of business to be covered.
In addition to being a member on school council, the Councillor is typically a member of one or more sub committees, each responsible for a key area of administration. Currently these sub committees are: – Education, Finance, Publicity, Fundraising, Building and Grounds, Uniform, After School Care and Canteen.
School Council encourages the use of specific skill-sets which exist in the school community, but may not be part of School Council. These Community members often bring a particular skill to school council. As an example, they might bring building skills or some other skill that the school is looking for at that time, and as such can become a member of a sub committee and share their experience and knowledge for the good of the school.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF SCHOOL COUNCIL INCLUDE:
- developing the strategic plan (the document that tells people what our school wants to achieve in the future and how we plans to get there);
- approving the annual budget (the financial plan for the calendar year that tells people how our school is going to provide money so we can implement its strategic plan in that year);
- setting and reviewing policies (guiding principles designed to influence decisions, actions that our school makes);
- developing, reviewing and monitoring both the Student Code of Conduct (how the school expects students to behave, how bullying will be managed and the school’s approach to managing student behaviour) and the School Dress Code (this includes how students are expected to dress during school hours including traveling to and from school, and any arrangement with clothing suppliers that the school might enter into);
- raising money for things that the school needs. This function is typically handled by the Yarra Road Parents Association which reports directly to School Council.
- making sure the school’s grounds and buildings are maintained;
- entering into contracts for things like cleaning the school or a school council building project;
- creating interest in the school within the community; and
- involvement in principal selection.
The School Council sets the tone of the school and drives development of a shared vision. The Council must maintain accountability through appropriate mechanisms, and understand and respond to its community – in partnership with the school executive and leadership team, it is the driving force for the advancement of the school.
Active participation on the School Council from parents in the school community is very important to the school and its ability to provide a quality educational environment for your child. Even if you are not on, or interested in being on the council, it is important to be involved in the nomination and election process because the councillors are your representatives. Find out who the councillors are and be sure to speak to them about your thoughts, ideas and concerns for the school.