Change the St Stephens 3 week July school holidays dates
The issue
The members of the St Stephen’s School community, respectfully ask the Principal and School Board to consider permanently shifting the July school holiday period one week earlier in the school calendar, beginning in 2028.
Our reasons are listed below:
1. An 11-week Term 2 is too long
Under the current calendar, Term 2 runs for 11 weeks which is one of the longest terms in the WA school system. By the final weeks, students and staff are visibly exhausted and burned out. Shifting the break one week earlier would reduce Term 2 to 10 weeks, providing relief at the point in the year when it is most needed and giving everyone a genuine opportunity to rest and recharge before Term 3.
2. Family
Many families in our community have children or family attending both St Stephen’s and St Mark’s. Because the two schools’ July holidays are currently offset by one week, these families cannot take a single shared break together. Aligning the dates would permanently resolve this for many families every year.
3. Better and more affordable family holidays
Shifting the break one week earlier places it in the coldest, most predictable part of the Perth winter. Flights and accommodation are typically cheaper and more available in late June and early July compared to mid-to-late July, directly reducing the financial burden on families. With both schools on the same dates, families with children at both can finally plan a single trip rather than two separate breaks.
4. Community and event alignment
The earlier window reduces clashes with extracurricular activities, sports fixtures, and community events that currently fall across the existing break period.
5. No disruption to total learning time
This change does not reduce the number of school days or alter the overall academic structure of the year. It is a minor calendar adjustment with meaningful, lasting benefits for the entire school community.
Our request is below:
We respectfully ask the Principal and Board to adopt this adjustment as a permanent feature of St Stephen’s annual school calendar from 2028, and to consult with the school community before finalising future year calendars. We believe this change reflects the best interests of our students, staff, and families.
1
The issue
The members of the St Stephen’s School community, respectfully ask the Principal and School Board to consider permanently shifting the July school holiday period one week earlier in the school calendar, beginning in 2028.
Our reasons are listed below:
1. An 11-week Term 2 is too long
Under the current calendar, Term 2 runs for 11 weeks which is one of the longest terms in the WA school system. By the final weeks, students and staff are visibly exhausted and burned out. Shifting the break one week earlier would reduce Term 2 to 10 weeks, providing relief at the point in the year when it is most needed and giving everyone a genuine opportunity to rest and recharge before Term 3.
2. Family
Many families in our community have children or family attending both St Stephen’s and St Mark’s. Because the two schools’ July holidays are currently offset by one week, these families cannot take a single shared break together. Aligning the dates would permanently resolve this for many families every year.
3. Better and more affordable family holidays
Shifting the break one week earlier places it in the coldest, most predictable part of the Perth winter. Flights and accommodation are typically cheaper and more available in late June and early July compared to mid-to-late July, directly reducing the financial burden on families. With both schools on the same dates, families with children at both can finally plan a single trip rather than two separate breaks.
4. Community and event alignment
The earlier window reduces clashes with extracurricular activities, sports fixtures, and community events that currently fall across the existing break period.
5. No disruption to total learning time
This change does not reduce the number of school days or alter the overall academic structure of the year. It is a minor calendar adjustment with meaningful, lasting benefits for the entire school community.
Our request is below:
We respectfully ask the Principal and Board to adopt this adjustment as a permanent feature of St Stephen’s annual school calendar from 2028, and to consult with the school community before finalising future year calendars. We believe this change reflects the best interests of our students, staff, and families.
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Petition created on 25 June 2026