Holidays
From 1848 to 1928 government schools operated on a four-term year.
However, in 1929 a two-term year was introduced, but proved so unpopular that in 1930 a three-term year was adopted.
In 1987 the four-term year was reintroduced. Below is a chronological list of the holiday periods rounded to the nearest week for NSW government schools since 1848.
| Year | Holidays |
|---|---|
| 1848 | One week holiday at Christmas. |
| 1858 | One week holiday at both Christmas and Easter, and one week in Winter. |
| 1867 | Two weeks at Christmas, and one week at Easter and in Winter. |
| 1876 | Three weeks holiday at Christmas, and two weeks in Winter. |
| 1889 | Three weeks holiday at Christmas, one week at Easter and two weeks in Winter. |
| 1892 | Four weeks holiday at Christmas, one week at Easter and two weeks in Winter. |
| 1903 | Four weeks at Christmas, and one week during Easter, Winter and Spring. |
| 1905 | Five weeks at Christmas, and one week at Easter and in Spring. |
| 1915 | Five weeks at Christmas, and one week during Easter, Winter and Spring. |
| 1929 | Six weeks at Christmas and two weeks in Spring. |
| 1930 | Six weeks at Christmas, two weeks in Autumn and one week in Spring. |
| 1935 | Six weeks at Christmas, two weeks in Spring and one week in Autumn. |
| 1974 | Six weeks at Christmas, two weeks in Autumn and Spring. |
| 1987 | Six weeks at Christmas, two weeks in Winter and Spring, and one week at Easter. |
| 1997 | Five weeks at Christmas, two weeks in Autumn, Winter and Spring. |