Aquinas School Holidays 2026: Dates & Planning Guide

· aquinas school holidays 2026

Introduction to Aquinas School Holidays 2026

For families connected to Aquinas schools across Australia, knowing the 2026 holiday dates is key to planning vacations, family events, and downtime. Searches for ‘Aquinas school holidays 2026’ often point to popular institutions like Aquinas College in Menai, NSW, or Aquinas College in Perth, WA. These Catholic schools typically align closely with their state’s public school calendar, but slight variations can occur for private or independent schools.

This guide provides expected dates based on historical patterns from the NSW and WA Departments of Education. Important: These are provisional estimates only. Always verify exact dates directly with your specific Aquinas school website or your state education department, as official 2026 calendars are usually released in late 2025. Australian school years follow a four-term structure, with holidays between terms and a long summer break.

Expected Holiday Periods for Aquinas Schools in 2026

School holidays vary by state, so we’ll focus on the two main Aquinas Colleges: NSW (Aquinas College Menai) and WA (Aquinas College Perth). Both states publish term dates annually, and private schools like these rarely deviate significantly.

New South Wales (Aquinas College Menai)

NSW public schools set the standard, and Aquinas College Menai follows suit. Based on 2024-2025 patterns:

  • Summer Holidays: Mid-December 2025 to Friday, 30 January 2026 (about 6 weeks). Term 1 starts late January.
  • Autumn Holidays: Friday, 10 April 2026 to Friday, 24 April 2026 (2 weeks, including Easter).
  • Winter Holidays: Friday, 26 June 2026 to Friday, 17 July 2026 (3 weeks).
  • Spring Holidays: Friday, 25 September 2026 to Friday, 9 October 2026 (2 weeks).
  • Summer Break: Starts mid-December 2026.

Easter in 2026 falls 3-6 April, often extending the autumn break.

Western Australia (Aquinas College Perth)

WA calendars are similar but with minor differences. Provisional 2026 estimates:

  • Summer Holidays: Saturday, 20 December 2025 to Wednesday, 28 January 2026 (6 weeks).
  • Autumn Holidays: Friday, 3 April 2026 to Friday, 17 April 2026 (2 weeks).
  • Winter Holidays: Saturday, 27 June 2026 to Sunday, 19 July 2026 (3 weeks).
  • Spring Holidays: Friday, 25 September 2026 to Friday, 9 October 2026 (2 weeks).

Pro tip: Download the NSW Education or WA Education apps for push notifications on updates.

How to Confirm Official Aquinas School Holidays 2026

Don’t rely on estimates—official sources are essential:

  1. Aquinas School Website: Visit aquinas.nsw.edu.au (Menai) or aquinas.wa.edu.au (Perth). Look for ‘Calendar’, ‘Term Dates’, or ‘Enrolments’ sections. Schools post 2026 dates by Term 4 2025.
  2. State Education Departments:
    • NSW: education.nsw.gov.au – Search ‘school holidays 2026’.
    • WA: education.wa.gov.au – Public school calendar applies to most privates.
  3. Catholic Education Offices: For Aquinas (Diocese of Wollongong in NSW or Archdiocese of Perth in WA), check ceowollongong.com.au or perthcatholic.org.au.
  4. Contact the School: Email or call the front office. Early queries ensure accuracy.

Other Aquinas-named schools (e.g., St Thomas Aquinas in VIC or QLD) follow their local calendars—search ‘[school name] term dates 2026’.

Planning Family Travel During Aquinas Holidays

School holidays are prime time for Australian family adventures. With 12-14 weeks off annually, balance rest and exploration.

Summer Break (Dec-Jan): Beach and Outback Escapes

Head to Sydney’s Bondi Beach or the Gold Coast (short flight from NSW). In WA, Rottnest Island ferries from Perth are family-friendly with quokkas. Budget tip: Book mid-January for lower crowds post-New Year. National parks like Blue Mountains (NSW) offer hiking without school crowds.

Autumn (April): Easter Getaways

Easter aligns here—camp in Royal National Park (NSW) or Margaret River (WA) for wine tastings (family sections) and beaches. Domestic flights via Qantas or Virgin are affordable; drive for eco-savings.

Winter (June-July): Snow and Sun

NSW families: Jindabyne for beginner skiing. WA: Broome for warm Kimberley escapes. Indoor options like Sydney Aquarium or Perth Zoo suit rainy days.

Spring (Sept-Oct): Mild Weather Trips

Great Ocean Road (VIC, drivable from NSW) or Karijini National Park (WA). Whale watching peaks—Byron Bay tours are magical.

Travel Hacks:

  • Use school holiday calendars from tourism.australia.com.
  • Book via school-term gaps for 20-30% savings.
  • Pack for variable weather: 20-30°C summers, 10-15°C winters.
  • Family passes for attractions save hundreds.

Additional Tips for Busy Families

  • Pupil-Free Days: Aquinas may add 1-2 staff development days—check calendars.
  • Public Holidays: ANZAC Day (25 April), King’s Birthday (8 June NSW/5 Oct WA) extend breaks.
  • Working Parents: Explore vacation care via school or Camp Australia.
  • Health and Prep: Update vaccinations pre-travel; download school apps for newsletters.
  • Sustainability: Opt for trains (NSW Opal card) or electric rentals.

Holidays build memories—start a family calendar now. By confirming dates early, you’ll secure spots for camps, sports clinics, or relaxation.

Word count: 748. Remember, dates are estimates—verify with official sources for your Aquinas school.