edumate

Case Study - St. Stanislaus College

In this issue we would like to share with you a significant milestone achieved by Excido in partnership with one of our Edumate schools. The best news is that this can also be achieved by any and all Edumate users, and we fully expect that this will happen in the coming months. However, this particular school was the first to get there and set a shining example to the K-12 community.

When we signed contracts in May 2004, we were impressed with the thorough approach the school took in defining their requirements for every area of their operation. This approach was subsequently reflected in the way they set about implementing Edumate and reaping its benefits within a relatively short time.

However, one component of their Requirement Definition stood out as a high priority, with the Headmaster making it abundantly clear at the time that this feature was a 'must have', and the basis on which he would justify the acquisition of Edumate to the parents. This was named as the Parental Access System with the promise by Excido to deliver in 2005.

It is noteworthy that this school chose to do its data setup manually, a task that was completed within 2 weeks. Within I month of commencing the Edumate implementation, teachers were looking up the timetable and accessing the school calendar. Mark Roll for every period was utilised throughout 2005 with automatic email alerts on attendance being introduced later in the year. This was also the first school to implement Lesson Plans in early 2006.

To cap it all, Excido and the school worked closely together to complete the Parental Access System by end 2005. This was done and the software is now successfully implemented. Remarkable? We don't think so. It was simply a matter of Vision, Will and Commitment coming together. The shared vision between the school and Excido, the Headmaster's will, and a joint commitment between both parties made this happen.

What is perhaps remarkable is that it was a school in regional NSW that took the lead in the creative use of technology tools made available to them by Excido.

The school is St. Stanislaus College in Bathurst. Our warmest congratulations to John Edwards, the Headmaster, Mark Neill Deputy Headmaster,and Sam McCarthy ICT Director for leading the charge and being the first school in Australia to provide a unique and we expect, indispensable benefit to parents and their children.

Here are some of the unsolicited comments received from parents:

1. "I thought I would let you know how fantastic the Edumate portal is, and to commend you and your team on the vast amount of work that has gone into making the portal available to parents. It is just great to be able to be a bit more involved in the boys day to day life.

Congratulations on a wonderful concept very well delivered."

2. "Thanks! Have just had a run through the program and it is fantastic, congratulations on its inception."

3. "Thanks! A great facility. We live so far away from Adam it will be great for checking his progress and keeping tabs on him! "

At last count 3300 parents had logged in!

Emendatio in perpetuitate!