As a parent living in NSW, I strongly recommend that the mid-year school holidays for all primary and high-school students should be extended from 2 weeks to 4 weeks. This includes all public and private schools. Reasons for this extension include: * Many families enjoy travelling overseas and holidaying in warmer countries around the world, whether it be to visit family and friends or just to relax. Given that 2 weeks is often insufficient, the children are often forced to take an extra week or two off during the school term. As a result of that extra time off from school, the children miss out on important school work and events. I am aware that some teachers may send extra school work with the children to complete whilst away, but lets face it, who wants to do homework while away on holidays, and the work barely gets completed. * At this point into the school year (June / July), the children would have completed 20 weeks of education. This extension in midyear school holidays can be used to re-energise and better prepare for the second half of the school year. To balance out the school terms with the school holidays, and to compensate for the extra 2 weeks provided midyear, the end of year Christmas and New year break can be reduced to either a 4 or 5 week break. For example from 20th December until 20th or 25th January. The above recommended school holiday structure will provide a better home-life and school-life balance for the children and their families.