Two new Holiday Programs – Kickstart the 2026 school year

Blog post published 11 November 2025

Our Holiday Masterclasses are more than just a way to stay sharp – they’re an opportunity to level up in a fun, focused and high-impact environment with like-minded learners.

We’re excited to announce two new holiday programs for students in January 2026. Spanning across four days, both our English Masterclass and Strategy with Games Program will drive momentum ahead of the new school year.

English Masterclass

Years 3-4 (Intermediate)
Years 5-7 (Advanced)

Perfect your child’s writing and comprehension skills these holidays with our brand new English Masterclass – a focused, engaging program designed to help students write clearly and read with confidence.

Ideal for students preparing for the Selective Placement Test, or indeed all students wishing to refine their literacy skills, this masterclass provides targeted instruction in both writing and comprehension – the two pillars of academic success.

Please note: This program is an extension of previous holiday writing programs at The Swot Shop. Content will not be repeated for students who previously attended holiday programs, and previous programs are also not a prerequisite for participation.

Program Details

📍 Location: The Swot Shop – 8 Columbia Way, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153

🗓️ Schedule: Four-day program consisting of a two-hour session each day

• Monday January 19 to Thursday January 22
• 1:30pm – 3:30pm each day

✅ What students will gain from the course:

• Exploration of a wide range of text types including narratives, persuasive pieces, reports, and editorials
• Strengthen comprehension through close reading, vocabulary development, and analytical discussion
• Learn to plan, scaffold, and structure written responses effectively
• Refine grammar, punctuation, and editing for precision and impact
• Practise typing fluency and digital writing, preparing for online assessments such as the Selective Placement Test

💻 BYO Devices Required:
Students will complete written and comprehension tasks on their own devices to build speed, accuracy, and digital familiarity.

Led by experienced Swot Shop teachers, this program strikes the perfect balance between skill-building and creativity, helping students of all levels gain the confidence to express themselves clearly and perform at their best.

Strategy with Games

Years 2-3 (Intermediate)
Years 4-6 (Advanced)

If your child loves puzzles, challenges, or thinking several steps ahead, they’ll love our Strategy with Games Program – a hands-on course designed to build strategic thinking skills, patience, and focus in a fun and interactive way.

Aimed at students in Years 2-6, this four-day holiday program helps children practise forward planning, problem-solving, and pattern recognition through a mix of classic and modern games. It’s learning through play – with every move sharpening logic, reasoning, concentration and thinking skills.

Program Details

📍 Location: The Swot Shop – 8 Columbia Way, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153

🗓️ Schedule: Four-day program, two hours per day

• Monday January 19 to Thursday January 22
• 4pm – 6pm each day

✅ What students will gain from the course:

• Exploration of a range of strategy games that strengthen logical thinking and creativity
• Practise tactical decision-making and develop resilience through friendly competition
• Learn teamwork, sportsmanship, and perseverance in a supportive environment
• Put their new skills to the test in challenges with peers

Guided by our experienced Swot Shop teachers, the Strategy with Games Program offers the perfect blend of fun and intellectual challenge – helping students develop critical-thinking skills that benefit them far beyond the game board.

Secure your child’s place today and turn this school break into a leap forward.