The academic year, which comprises four terms, begins early in August and finishes late in the following June.

Semester One Term One Early August to October Mid Semester break (nine days in October) Term Two October to December Winter holiday (approx seven weeks) Semester Two Term Three Early February to April Mid Semester break (nine days in April) Term Four April to 3rd week of June There is no provision for students to stay in School premises during the long holidays or during the half-semester break.

During both mid-semester holidays we insist that all parents make arrangements for their children either by coming to take them for a holiday, or by arranging for them to stay with relatives or friends nearby. Each half-semester holiday is preceded by special programmes for parents.

There are two weeks for parents in the year. The first is held in conjunction with the Drama Festival before the October mid-semester break, whilst the the second is Parents' Week held prior to the April break. Throughout this week there are organised parent-teacher interviews and various activities designed to present a wide spectrum of school life to parents, as well as parents' meetings. The week culminates in the Annual Parents' Day. We strongly recommend that parents attend these two special weeks.

During the year up to four weekends may be treated as leave weekends, (one each term), when students may be taken out by parents, local guardians, or friends (if written permission is granted by parents). Notification must be given to the Dorm Parents preferably one week ahead and certainly by the Thursday prior to the leave. Such weekends away should not normally clash with official school functions or major dorm activities. A leave weekend will usually begin at 4pm on Friday and continue until Sunday evening. Residential students must not leave Lushington or Selborne campuses without staff permission.

Students may be taken out on Saturday between 9.00am and 5.30pm and on Sunday after church until 7.00pm with prior notice. In addition to the weekend leave provisions, students may be visited on any day between 3.50pm and 5.30pm. Similar arrangements can be made for friends of the family, if advance notification is given.