Dear Parents and Carers

I have been delighted with the manner in which Year 11 have returned this term.  It is incredible to think that we only have two terms and a few weeks left before the GCSE exams start on 17^th May 2016.  I look forward to continuing to work closely with all of you in order to ensure all members of the year group fulfil their potential this year.  This is a very important year for students and at the end of this letter I have included some significant dates for you and your child to be aware of.

There have been a few staffing changes this year and I have listed below the changes to the Year 11 team including their contact details):-

• Deputy Head Teacher (in charge of Year 11), Mr Gibson – pgibson@brakenhale.co.uk
• Head of Year, Mr Beukes – rbeukes@brakenhale.co.uk
• Assistant Head of Year, Mrs Aitchison – caitchison@brakenhale.co.uk
• 11B Miss Shaya – fshaya@brakenhale.co.uk
• 11R Miss Hooper – ahooper@brakenhale.co.uk
• 11A Miss O’Brien – dobrien@brakenhale.co.uk
• 11K Miss Willimott – lwillimott@brakenhale.co.uk
• 11E Miss Rushby – lrushby@brakenhale.co.uk
• 11N Mr Higgins – jhiggins@brakenhale.co.uk
• 11H Mr Dean – tdean@brakenhale.co.uk

As a year team we have always appreciated the fantastic support from parents and carers, and we view attendance very seriously at The Brakenhale School.  Excellent attendance and punctuality increases your child’s chance of success and allows them to be fully involved in school life.  All pupils should have an attendance of over 95% and if it drops below this we will contact you to support you and your child in improving this level. If your child is absent please could you telephone the school during the morning of the first day of absence to inform us, using our dedicated absence line on 01344 465050. The office will need to know your child’s name and tutor group.  On return to school your child should have a note in their homework diary explaining their absence to show their tutor.  They will be spoken to by their tutor regarding the absence and are expected to catch up with missed work.

The Brakenhale School, the Local Authority and Government believe that absence during term time should be avoided as it can have a damaging effect on pupils’ education and overall achievement.  All holidays taken in term time will be unauthorised and Bracknell Forest Borough Council, through the Education Welfare Service, will consider the issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice where a pupil has at least 10 sessions of unauthorised absence during a term or 20 sessions in the previous four months. 10 sessions is equivalent to 5 school days, 20 sessions = 10 school days.

Finally, I would like to invite you to a Year 11 Information Evening on 19^th October 2015 where you will have the opportunity to meet staff and ask any questions that you have regarding Year 11 and your child.

Yours faithfully

Mr R Beukes
Head of Year 11