TASS ORBIT UPDATE

FEBRUARY 2023

In development since September 2022, the first of three TASS apps, Parent Orbit, is rapidly approaching its launch date. The Orbit team has been hard at work since that first announcement, and we now have some exciting updates to share, along with a 'first look' at how the app will appear for parents.

ORBIT PREVIEW

We're thrilled to share our first screenshots of Parent Orbit, showcasing how the app will look for parents. The screenshots to the right provide a glimpse into how parents will use and navigate the Parent Orbit app.

Click below for more details on what's already been delivered in pre-release previews of the app, and what we've got planned ahead of the general release of Orbit to schools in May.

Parent Orbit Roadmap

astronaut group (short)
Home Page
App Home Page
Student Info
Student Info
General Details
General Details
Attendance
Attendance
Absences
Absences
eDiary
eDiary
Notifications (unread)
Unread Notifications
Notifications (history)
Notification History

DEVELOPED IN COLLABORATION WITH SCHOOLS

The Parent Orbit app has been developed alongside members of our Special Interest Group (SIG), where schools got the chance to participate in design workshops, working alongside us to prioritise and develop features.

SIG members have helped us to shape the look, feel, and functionality of the app, from initial design to prototypes, and will be continuing to offer their feedback through to the final product launch.

Thank you to all of the SIG member schools who have helped us develop an app that schools will love!

  • Lourdes logo
    Lourdes Hill College
  • Carinya logo
    Carinya Christian School
  • Pacific Hills logo
    Pacific Hills Group
  • Christ Church logo
    Christ Church Grammar School
  • Australian Islamic Colleges logo
    Australian Islamic Colleges
  • Rockhampton Grammar
    The Rockhampton Grammar School
  • Mackay Christian College
    Mackay Christian College
  • Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton
    Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton
  • Edmund Rice College
    Edmund Rice College

If you're interested in helping us shape the future of the Staff and Student Orbit Apps,  fill in an expression of interest form to join the Special Interest Groups using the link below.

Special Interest Group EOI

 

astronaut zoom-1

ORBIT RELEASE ROADMAP SNEAK PEEK

It's not long now before the first TASS Orbit app is released to schools - so we've prepared a sneak peek at some of the major features being delivered ahead of the launch. The items below are just a fraction of the functionality available, with a massive list of features being prepared for each release.

We won't be stopping there, either! There's a galaxy of features to explore, and app development will continue alongside the existing TASS roadmap - which means that new features and functionality will continue to be added to each in unison.

'Bleeding Edge' Release Features
February 2023

In February, SIG members got their first look at a pre-release version of the app, and were given access to a range of key 'foundational' features, including:

Multi-School Support
Parents with a student at more than one TASS school will be able to switch between schools within the app, creating a seamless experience for parents when needing to access relevant school information for each of their students.
School line icon
eDiary line icon
Student eDiaries
Parents will get access to their child's calendar, as a day or month view, to keep up to date with their children's activities. This includes a multi-student view for parents with multiple students at an individual school.
Customisation Options
Schools can upload their logo and select a matching accent colour, ensuring the app aligns with their branding, and creating a seamless experience for parents whether they're on desktop or mobile.
Custom line icon
Planet earth

 

Pilot Release Features
April 2023

The first full Pilot release will launch in April, providing a final test run prior to the General Release. Select groups of parents from participating SIG schools will have the opportunity to use the Orbit App for themselves, providing valuable feedback on their experience. Features added for this pilot release will include:

Shuttle 1
Astronaut mobile light
Absences and Attendance
Parents will be able to acknowledge and submit absences, as well as view the attendance history for their child on the go, making it easier for schools to ensure they have accurate and up-to-date information on student whereabouts.
Message line icon
notifications line icon
Targeted Push Notifications
Schools will be able to send targeted notifications via the app, so that parents are only alerted to information that's relevant to their child. This is particularly useful when communicating to parents of specific Extra-Curricular groups, or parents who have not yet approved a specific event.
Quick Links
Give parents easy access to school information by creating 'quick links' to important documents and webpages, which are made available to parents in-app, to be accessed whereever and whenever they're needed.
Quick links line icon
Meteor

General Release Features
May 2023

With the General Release launch in May, all TASS schools will have the opportunity to purchase and use the Parent Orbit app! More news on the features included will be announced soon, so keep an eye out for more information as we countdown to launch day.

Academic Reports
Academic reports will be accessible directly from the app, so parents can view their students results as soon as they're releaesd, no matter where they are.
Academic line icon
Pastoral line icon
Pastoral Care
Schools can be confident that parents are aware of their child's Pastoral Care activities, with the ability to view and acknowledge Pastoral Care alerts in the Orbit app, alongside a full Pastoral Care history for their child. Automatic notifications will also be sent via the app whenever a new PC entry is created.
Extra-curriculars and Payments
Extra-curricular activity sign-up will be available for app users, making it easier for parents to approve and keep up to date with their child's activities. This can include related payments through a secure online payment gateway.
Sports line icon
Rocket 2

INTERESTED IN ORBIT FOR YOUR SCHOOL?

Excited by everything we've shown you so far? You'll be thrilled to know there's even more planned just on the horizon.

REQUEST A QUOTE

The Parent Orbit app will be available for purchase ahead of the General Release in May.

QUESTIONS?

For more information on who's involved with TASS Orbit, how to join our Special Interest Groups, general enquiries and more, contact the team below

WHAT'S NEXT?

Interested in having a chat about the Parent Orbit app or being a part of one of the next Special Interest Groups? Fill out the form below, and we'll reach out. We'll be sending out an invitation to all customers with details on the Staff and Student SIGs, which will be formed by June.