Holiday Programs

Join our holiday programs designed for high-achieving students aiming to elevate their skills across Chess and Writing. Our Writing Masterclasses provide targeted practice to enhance writing proficiency and build confidence. In Chess Strategy & Competitions, students develop improved problem-solving and critical thinking capabilities.

Chess Strategy & Competitions

Year 3-6 (in 2025)

Sharpen your child’s mind with the world’s greatest strategy game.

This program is for students who love chess or are keen to learn the game, its strategies and tactics. On the first day, students are graded into groups based on their level of skill. The program culminates on the last day with a knock-out competition where students have the chance to compete for a special Swot Shop trophy and black ribbon.

This Chess Masterclass offers students the opportunity to engage in fun games and competition whilst sharpening their memory, focus and spatial reasoning. As a game of pure skill, chess training can improve children’s problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills. Furthermore, playing chess can boost academic performance, especially in maths, and foster social skills. In addition, it is a fun and favoured game by many Swot Shop students!

About the program:
  • Location: The Swot Shop Main Centre – 8 Columbia Way, Baulkham Hills 2153
  • Students attend four days from Monday 14 July to Thursday 17 July 2025
  • Each day consists of a two-hour class from: 4pm to 6pm
  • Learn important chess concepts, strategic thinking, tactical calculation and opening/endgame principles
  • Understand the importance of analysing games and improving your mental game
  • For students on all levels – from beginners to advanced
  • Experienced, qualified Swot Shop teachers will be running the program
The program cost is $300 per student. This includes all lessons, program materials and competitions.

Writing Masterclass for Continuers (Advanced)

Selective and Years 5-6 (in 2025)

Improve and build on your writing and typing skills.
Get an early start on preparation for written exams including NAPLAN and Selective.

This stimulating program is for students in Year 5-6 wishing to further improve, practise and perfect their writing skills. It is ideal for students preparing for the Selective Placement test/private school entry exams, or indeed for any student keen to improve and build on their existing writing skills which are so crucial to academic success.

The Writing Masterclass for Continuers (Advanced) builds on the Advanced Writing Holiday Program held in January 2025. However, the January program is not a prerequisite and all students in Year 5-6 are invited to enrol in this Advanced Masterclass for Continuers.

This Masterclass will be requiring BYO devices as students will be practising their typing fluency and speed as part of the program.

About the program:

  • Location: The Swot Shop Main Centre – 8 Columbia Way, Baulkham Hills 2153
  • Students attend four days from Monday 14 July to Thursday 17 July
  • Each day consists of a two-hour class from:
    1:30pm to 3:30pm OR 4pm to 6pm
  • The program covers a wide range of text types including reports, editorials, narratives, persuasive writing and diary entries.
  • Students practise planning, scaffolding, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary and editing skills as well as typing skills.
  • Writing practice will be with digital BYO devices to help with speed and accuracy in preparation for online exams such as the Selective Placement Test.
  • Experienced, qualified Swot Shop teachers will be running the program.

The program cost is $300 per student. This includes all lessons, program materials, marking of homework and feedback.

If you would like more information about the program prior to enrolling, please contact us on (02) 9634 2000 or via this form.

Writing Masterclass for Continuers (Intermediate)

Years 3-4 (in 2025)

Improve and build on your writing and typing skills.
Get an early start on preparation for written exams including NAPLAN and Selective.

This stimulating program is for students in Year 3-4 wishing to further improve, practise and perfect their writing skills. It is ideal for students preparing for NAPLAN, the Selective Placement Test, private school entry exams or indeed for any student keen to improve and build on their existing writing skills which are so crucial to academic success.

The Intermediate Writing Masterclass for Continuers builds on the Intermediate Writing Holiday Program held in January 2025. However, the January program is not a prerequisite and all students in Year 3-4 are invited to enrol in this Masterclass. It will be requiring BYO devices as students will be practising their typing fluency and speed as part of the program.

About the program:

  • Location: The Swot Shop Main Centre – 8 Columbia Way, Baulkham Hills 2153
  • Students attend four days from Monday 14 July to Thursday 17 July
  • Each day consists of a two-hour class from:
    1:30pm to 3:30pm OR 4pm to 6pm
  • The program covers a wide range of text types including reports, editorials, narratives, persuasive writing and diary entries.
  • Students practise planning, scaffolding, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary and editing skills as well as typing skills.
  • Writing practice will be with digital BYO devices to help with speed and accuracy in preparation for online exams such as NAPLAN and the Selective Placement Test.
  • Experienced, qualified Swot Shop teachers will be running the program.

The program cost is $300 per student. This includes all lessons, program materials, marking of homework and feedback.

Bright minds begin here. Register for an entry test or enrol.

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