We are pleased to advise that Harmony Primary is implementing messageyou™Schools, a mobile phone messaging system to communicate student unexplained absences to parents/guardians.
This new communication system uses Short Messaging Service (SMS) and will send text messages to parent/guardian mobile phones when your child is absent from school (in the instance that an explanation has not already been provided).
Commencing Monday 18th March 2018 at 9:30am each morning of a school day, our computer system will automatically send parents a message similar to:
HPS records show <Student Name> is absent <Day/Date>.
Pls reply SMS, student name/reason/abs date or call 9498 6333.
SMS is designed to advise parents that according to school records, the student is absent and no reason has been provided to the school.
It is a legal requirement that parents contact the school regarding any student absences or reasons for lateness. If an explanation for the absence has been provided prior to 9am each morning, then parents will not receive an SMS. Please note there may be some circumstances out of our control, such as power outages, where we cannot send SMS.
Parents need to be aware that this system is an additional absence follow up service only. There will be times when parents may not receive a text message due to technical issues. In cases where you are concerned about your child’s attendance, please contact the school directly on 9498 6333.
Once absence notification messages have been implemented, the use of SMS communications may be extended to wider uses such as unexpected school closures or a reminder about a school event.
It is expected that the use of SMS communication to parents will assist in reducing the number of unexplained student absences and help inform the school and parents as to the whereabouts of every student. The SMS strategy is already being used across many Western Australia schools as a successful initiative to improve communication to parents and to encourage students to take responsibility for their attendance at school.
Further enquiries should be directed to Administration on 9498 6333.
*Please note that the absentee section in Connect does not update in real time. Harmony Primary has no control over the data shown in this system. We apologise for any confusion this might cause to parents.
