The Best School Holiday Programs To Help Your Child Grow

Make the most of the break with school holiday programs that build your child's skills and confidence — without losing the fun.

Written by:
Matrix Education
matrix education best school holiday programs blog

Try Matrix risk free.

Try Matrix risk free.

Join 8000+ students each term who already have a head start on their school academic journey.

Wondering what school holiday programs your child could be joining these holidays?

School holidays should be a time for fun and rest. But they’re also a great chance for your primary school child to keep learning, build confidence, and feel ready for the new term.

That’s where tuition-based holiday programs can make a big difference.

Whether your child needs to catch up, feel more confident, or is ready to take on a new challenge, the right holiday course can give them a boost—without feeling like “more school”.

Here are five ways your child can benefit from academic school holiday programs like those at Matrix.

Table of contents:

Give your child a head start these school holidays!

Expert teachers, quality resources, and OC & Selective Test prep. Trusted by 8,000+ families a term.

5 benefits of school holiday programs

1. Helps your child catch up (or get ahead!)

Kids learn at different speeds, but school terms move fast. It’s hard to revisit tricky concepts once classes move on. School holiday programs give students time to strengthen core skills like English, Maths and OC test & Selective test prep.

With fewer distractions and smaller class sizes, tutor holiday programs can help your child:

  • Review tricky topics from class without pressure
  • Practise key skills in a stress-free way
  • Ask more questions with personalised feedback
  • Learn new topics before school starts again
matrix education primary school holiday students
Holiday learning that’s fun and focused

If your child finds Maths or English challenging, this is a great time to build their skills with extra support.

“In the Matrix Holiday Course, each day focused on one main idea, so we had time to really learn it. It didn’t feel rushed, and there was time to ask questions and practise.” – Saanvi, Year 5 Matrix student 

If your child is already confident or doing well, a holiday program can introduce more advanced work to keep them engaged.

“Matrix courses give me an academic advantage over my school friends. I find it easier to cope with the school curriculum.” – Jensen, Year 3 Matrix student

For parents who value strong foundations or want to prepare for OC or Selective entry, holiday courses offer the right blend of support and challenge.

2. Builds good learning habits early

Primary school is when kids begin to build the habits they’ll carry into high school. Things like focus, goal-setting, and time management don’t just happen — they’re learnt. Unlike regular classroom learning, a good tutoring school holiday program often includes guided, goal-oriented activities that teach students how to learn, not just what to learn.

They help your child:

  • Set clear learning goals
  • Learn how to plan and stay on task
  • Get used to asking questions and trying new things
  • Reflect on their progress and effort, and find what they could improve

These small skills add up. They help your child feel more in control of their learning and more excited by it!

“Matrix courses captured Marco’s very best interest. The well-structured approach keeps him motivated to learn.” – Mother of Marco, Year 6 Matrix student

See real progress in just a few days

Strengthen your child’s English skills in 4 days

Write clearly and confidently with inspirational teachers and 1-to-1 support over the holidays.

3. Boosts confidence (and lowers stress)

If your child sometimes says, “I can’t do this” or gets upset when schoolwork feels hard, they’re not alone. School can feel overwhelming. A holiday program is different — it’s a calmer space, with much less pressure.

“Matrix has increased my son’s confidence, giving him the right study material and mentoring from experienced Matrix teachers to excel in school.” – Father of Ritvik, Year 5 Matrix student

This is especially helpful if your child:

  • Gets easily discouraged in class

  • Avoids challenges for fear of failure

  • Struggles with perfectionism or confidence

At a holiday program, your child can take their time to understand things and learn in small groups with more attention.

We often see kids who were unsure at the start finish the holiday tutoring program with a smile, ready to take on the next challenge.

“My Matrix teachers have been amazing, easy to understand, and let everybody provide their own thoughts.” – Annabelle, Year 5 Matrix student

4. Adds structure to long breaks

Holidays are fun — until the boredom kicks in. After a few days, many kids end up on screens or just wandering around the house. School holiday programs offer a refreshing alternative: a structured, healthy routine that still leaves room for fun and flexibility.

matrix education primary school holiday class and teacher
Supportive, small-group learning during the break

“I thought tutoring would be boring, but the teachers make everything really easy to understand. The learning environment is fun and the lessons are interesting.” – Annabelle, Year 5 Matrix student

With a few mornings or afternoons of learning each week, your child can:

  • Keep their mind active and engaged

  • Have a smoother transition back to school

  • Have fun with peers while learning something new

You still have plenty of time for playdates, rest, or family trips. It just adds a productive rhythm to the week.

“I learnt something new every day… Given the classes were only 2 hours each day, I could still use the rest of my day for whatever I liked.” – Saanvi, Year 5 Matrix student

5. Supports Selective School & OC test preparation

If your child is aiming for Opportunity Class (OC) or a selective high school, it’s important to give them the right preparation early on. The holiday period is perfect for starting gently without pressure.

Holiday programs designed for OC or selective prep help your child:

  • Build skills in reading comprehension, Maths, and logical thinking
  • Practise exam-style questions in a low-stress setting
  • Develop problem-solving and time management strategies

It also helps you, as a parent, see where your child might need extra support before the school terms begin.”My son did OC Preparation courses from Matrix Education and he got admission to Beecroft Public school which is a top OP school.

“My son said the real OC exam was just like the Matrix mock tests. The holiday courses really improved his time management skills for all 3 OC exams — and he got into a top OC school!” – Father of Ritvik, Year 5 Matrix student

School holiday programs that balance learning and fun

Holiday learning doesn’t have to feel like school. The best programs for primary students are engaging, supportive, and paced for young minds. They help your child stay curious, build confidence, and feel proud of what they can do.

Whether your child is in Year 3 and needs a little extra push,  or in Year 5 and starting to prepare for a selective school, a well-designed holiday course can give them the head start they deserve.

Enrol now for the upcoming school holiday program

Make the most of your holidays

Get ahead with structured holiday lessons, high-quality resources, and proven results in just 2 weeks.

Written by Matrix Education

Matrix is Sydney's No.1 High School Tuition provider. Come read our blog regularly for study hacks, subject breakdowns, and all the other academic insights you need.

© Matrix Education and www.matrix.edu.au, 2025. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Matrix Education and www.matrix.edu.au with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Related courses

Related articles

Loading