Summer 2018–2019 School Holiday Inspiration

Our Summer 2018-2019 school holiday guide is bursting with entertaining and educational holiday workshops, performances and events in and around Sydney’s Inner West! Be sure to book in advance to take advantage of early-bird specials and to avoid disappointment.
 
CAMPS AND WORKSHOPS
AcroPals
Located in Marrickville, AcroPals is offering school holiday acrobatics workshops on January 23–25. Kids can master skills they’ve always wanted to do and even pick up a few they didn’t know existed! Choose from a half-day (9 am–12 pm) or full day (9 am –3 pm) on 23 and 25 January or a half-day aerials workshop on 24 January (9 am–12 pm). Full-day program includes basic tumbling on air tracks, partner balancing, craft and glitter slime, aerials and advanced tumbling, balancing, contortion, swing dancing and creative time. A half-day costs $50, a full day $80. All workshop participants receive a 20 per cent discount off their first month of classes at AcroPals. See the website to book.

 
ArtSpark Studio
This summer ArtSpark Studio, a sun-filled studio located in Rozelle, is running art and sewing workshops for preschool-aged children, primary school and high school students. The workshops will be held on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 December and Monday 14–Friday 25 January (not including the weekend 19–20 January). The art workshops for pre-schoolers and primary school children, include three or four projects with various media. The sewing workshops, for primary school and high school students, will teach hand stitching and machine sewing with four or five projects. Half-day workshops cost $70, full days are $120. Extended care is available at $10 per hour. There is a discount rate available for multiple days or sibling bookings. ArtSpark also features an eco-friendly garden and mini farm where participants can relax and play between workshops. For further details and bookings, see the website. For enquiries, email contact@artspark-studio.com.au or phone 0434 154 811.

 
Australian Theatre for Young People
In January 2019, the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) is offering a range of drama workshops for primary and secondary school students. Young people from K–6 can explore under the sea, create their own YouTube show, discover musical theatre and more. Years 7–12 students can make short films, learn about screen acting or take part in an HSC intensive workshop. Locations and hours vary but are mostly 9.30 am–3.30 pm or 10 am–4 pm. Early bird discounts are available only until 21 December. Additional before and after care can be purchased. For more details and bookings, please see the website.

 
BRICKS 4 KIDZ Inner West
These school holidays there will be BRICKS 4 KIDZ Inner West workshops in Leichhardt, Drummoyne and Balmain. The workshops, designed for kids aged 5–11 years, include specially created BRICKS 4 KIDZ models and plenty of time for creative play. They are staffed by trained, screened BRICKS 4 KIDZ instructors.
The Leichhardt workshops will be held from 12–20 December and 14–24 January, with a focus on LEGO building themed around robotics, Star Wars, ninjas, Pokémon and dinosaurs. Choose from one- or two- day workshops.
The Drummoyne two-day workshops will take place from 14–28 January and will explore LEGO building with two of the most popular themes: extreme ninjas or Minecraft.
There will be a two-day Balmain workshop on 21–22 January, with space travel and Star Wars LEGO building fun.
The cost is $90–95 for the one-day workshops, $180 for the two-day workshops. To find out more or book your child’s place, please use this link.

 
Creative Little Fingers
Creative Little Fingers is running art workshops in Drummoyne on 8, 10, 14, 16, 22 and 28 January from 10 am–12 pm. The workshops will use mixed media to create projects with various themes including flowers and unicorns. The cost is $35 per session. For further information on the sessions visit the website. For bookings call 0414 733 098 or email mjalogan@live.com.

 
Esprit Martial Arts
Learn martial arts basics in a fun environment. Based in Marrickville, Esprit Martial Arts is running holiday workshops on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 15 January–31 January from 4 pm. Cost is $15 per child per day plus a free Esprit cap (limit one per child). For more, please visit the website.

 
GymKidz
GymKidz is a toddler, kinder and recreational gymnastics centre in Newtown. The Gymkidz holiday program is gymnastics focused but includes a variety of stimulating physical and motor-skill development with games, acrobatics and circus, double dutch, rhythmic, dance and team challenges, all in the care of qualified instructors. The holiday program is suitable for boys and girls aged 4–8 years. It runs from 14–18 January and 21–25 January from 9 am–3 pm and costs $80 + GST per child, per day. Spaces are limited. For more information, please see the website. 

Julie Peadon Art
During the upcoming summer school holidays Julie Peadon Art will be running holiday art workshops for primary and high school students in Concord and Five Dock focusing on the great art movements. The Concord workshops are on 5, 11, 14, 18 and 22 January from 10 am–12.30 pm. The Five Dock workshops will be held on 10, 16, 17 and 25 January, also from 10 am–12.30 pm. The workshops will explore Monet’s bridge over water lilies, Picasso’s still life series, Kandinsky’s abstract expressionism related to music, Matisse’s bright colours and collage, and Andy Warhol’s pop art portraits. Students will leave with their own masterpiece on canvas ready to hang in their gallery at home. The cost is $40 plus GST per student, per workshop. Bookings can be made at the website.

 
Kennedy Dance School
Kennedy Dance School, which offers Irish dance classes for boys and girls from 4 years old, will be running an Irish dance summer camp for first timers during these upcoming school holidays. It’s a great opportunity to try a fun, faced-paced dance style without committing to a term. The intro to Irish dance sessions include light dancing, heavy dancing (similar to tap) and ceili dancing as well as a session just for the boys. The sessions will be held on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 January in Birchgrove and cost from $15. To find out more or book into the program, please see the website.

 
Kids in Common Spring Vacation Care
Kids in Common is a joint initiative created by Camperdown Commons and Camperdown Tennis for the Inner West community. It has a variety of fun, inclusive and engaging programs that will keep your kids entertained during the summer holidays. The programs, which run from 7–11 January, 14–18 January and 21–25 January, cater for kids aged between 5 and 12 years. Topics include slime, yoga, cooking, tennis, farming, dance, water games, basketball, cartooning and more! Morning or afternoon sessions cost $50; the full day is $80. Free after care until 5.45 pm is available for full-day bookings. For the program and booking information, click here.

 
Leap into Literacy
The Leap into Literacy holiday program is for students in Years K–6 who want to create their own written masterpiece, all while learning the important aspects of writing. The Create Your Own Book or Short Story holiday program will run on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 am–12 pm and 1 pm–3 pm from 2 January –24 January in Balmain and Drummoyne. Each session includes one-on-one feedback from the teacher, as well as detailed instructions on important writing techniques and help with spelling, grammar, etc. The cost is $60 for each two-hour session. Classes are for Years K–2 and Years 3–6 and are limited to seven students. To find out more, visit the website.

 
Li’l Crafters
Li’l Crafters is a process-based art, craft and messy sensory play class based in Marrickville. It is running several sessions for kids during these school holidays. Christmas Gingerbread House and Cookies will take place on 21 December. Creative Character Rod Puppets will take place on 8 January. Fake Cakes ’n’ Shakes will run on 14 January. And Groovy Tie Dye Wall Hangers will be held on 22 January. The sessions run for 1.5 hours and the cost between $30 and $40 each. (All ages are welcome but under 5s must be accompanied by a grown-up.) Bookings can be made online.

 
Paper Rock Scissors Art Studio
Paper Rock Scissors Art Studio in Rozelle is running half- and full- day programs in the week prior to Christmas and during January. The pre-Christmas art workshops will include making gift tags, bon bons, wreaths, lanterns, decorations and jewellery. The January workshops will include making kites, wind chimes, screen printing, pottery weaving and more. Morning sessions are from 9 am–12 pm; afternoon sessions are from 2–5 pm; full-day programs are 9 am–5 pm, with extended hours available (8.30 am–5.30 pm). There are separate Kindergarten–Year 2 and Years 3–6 sessions as well as some all-ages sessions. The half-day programs cost $60; the full-day programs cost $120. To see the full program or book your child’s place, go to Paper Rock Scissors Art Studio’s website.

 
PCYC Glebe/Leichhardt
PCYC Glebe/Leichhardt, based in Forest Lodge, has an affordable holiday sports program for boys and girls aged 5–16 years running in December and January. Activities include basketball skills and multi sports. Camps will run on 20 and 21 December and 8–10, 15–17, 22–24 January from 9 am–3 pm. Rates are $35/day, with the following combo deals: $65/two days, $95/three days, $125/four days. For more information or to register, phone 9660 2557 or email glebeleichhardt@pcycnsw.org.au.

 
PCYC Marrickville
The PCYC Marrickville school holiday programs are a fantastic opportunity for your child to experience a wide range of fun activities and keep busy these school holidays. This summer these will run from January 14–18 and January 21–January 25 from 8.30 am–3 pm (with extended hours available). Activities will include BRICKZ 4 KIDZ, soccer, laser tag, skate HQ, an inflatable obstacle course, basketball and netball. The cost is $55 per day or $225 for five days (i.e., a whole week). Extended camp hours (3 pm–6 pm) cost $25. PCYC junior membership is $10 per annum. You can book online or phone 9559 7722.

 
Prime Tutoring
Based in Five Dock, Prime Tutoring is running Year 12 English and Mathematics workshops over the December–January school holidays.
The Year 12 English Accelerated Workshop is for Standard English, Advanced English and Extension I English. The workshop is designed to help students with both essay and creative writing skills which are tailored to the major Modules examined by NESA in the HSC exams. Students are provided with all the materials needed for this workshop. It runs for eight hours in total over four days: Friday 14 Dec 4 pm–6 pm, Saturday 15 Dec 2 pm–4 pm, Friday 21 December 4 pm–6 pm and Saturday 22 Dec 2 pm–6 pm. The cost is $520 for the whole workshop, with a 10 per cent discount if you participate in the Mathematics workshop as well.
The Year 12 Accelerated Mathematics Workshop is for Standard Mathematics, Advanced Mathematics and Extension I Mathematics. This workshop is tailored for students who want to be prepared for their half yearly exams in term 1 2019. Students will be provided with all course material and past papers to further enhance their ability to tackle the HSC course with confidence. It also runs for eight hours in total over four days: Thursday 17 January 10 am–1 pm, Friday 18 January 10 am–1 pm, Wednesday 23 January 10 am–12 pm. The cost is $520 for the whole workshop, with a 10 per cent discount if you participate in the English workshop as well.
To book, please visit the website.
 
 
Resilience in Kids
Resilience in Kids aims to strengthen the resilience of everyday children in Years K–6 experiencing everyday challenges, such as making good friendship choices, managing their emotions and learning that it is okay to make mistakes. In the Inner West, three camps will be held in January at the Annandale Community Centre: Calm Camp (8 January), Confidence Camp (16 January) and Friendship Camp (23 January). The hours are 8.30 am–3.30 pm. The camps build children’s resilience through fun games and activities. They include art, drama, music, movement, breathing and storytelling. All of the camps are framed by beautiful stories and fables written by a professional story writer and are run by deeply experienced resilience coaches. The cost is $95 per child per day. Spaces are limited. Bookings can be made via the website.
 
 
Sew Make Create
Sew Make Create, based in Chippendale, is a creative workshop running small-sized, fun classes for kids and teens during the school holidays. Sewing and creative workshops for kids will be held from Monday 14 January–Tuesday 22 January. Themes include sewing, natural skincare making, natural perfume blending and floristry. Workshops cost from $60. For details and bookings, please see the website.

 
Speech and Language Sydney
Speech and Language Sydney, a mobile speech pathology practice with extensive experience in supporting children and young people with autism, as well as those with a range of communication needs, is running its popular Lego Based Therapy program again this summer. The LEGO Based Therapy approach supports social communication and language skills while working together to build a LEGO model. This structured, evidence-based program is fun and works on communication skills in real time. The holiday group sessions will be held at Studio You in Birchgrove on 16–18 January or 23–25 January from 9–11.30 am. The cost is $230 per three-day block. SALS can work with HCWA-registered clients and families who are NDIS self managed or plan manager managed. To book email emma@speechandlanguagesydney.com.au or phone 0448 242 460.

 
Sydney Speaking School
Would your child to be a more confident public speaker? Sydney Speaking School has helped thousands of students develop their confidence and bring their words to life. This summer Sydney Speaking School is running debating and public speaking workshops for students aged 6–15 years old at Newington College, Stanmore. Each class is taught by an experienced and passionate coach, and is designed with the mantra ‘learning by doing’. There is an emphasis on small classes, a welcoming environment and plenty of personal feedback from expert coaches. Workshops will run from Monday 21 January–Friday 25 January, from $200 for a two-day program. To book, see the website.

 
Sydney Youth Orchestras
Got a budding young musician? Keep them engaged these school holidays with Sydney Youth Orchestras’ fantastic Summer School program. Running from 7–11 January at Santa Sabina College, Strathfield, and for the final day only, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, the SYO Summer School program is packed with choir rehearsals, large ensemble playing, masterclasses and tutorials, music theory and info sessions, as well as the opportunity to make friends and have fun. It is suitable for young musicians aged 6–19 years. Students are placed in ensembles that match their abilities and extend their knowledge and experience. Camp hours are 9 am–3 pm and the cost is $550. You can register here.

 
Treat Dreams
Treat Dreams, located in Rozelle, will be running Kids Make Chocolate and Teens Make Chocolate classes during the summer holidays involving hands-on chocolate moulding and decorating.
Classes will be held on the following dates: Friday 21 December, Friday 11 January, Friday 18 January, Friday 25 January, with separate sessions for those in primary school and high school. Make and take home a chocolate bar and an extra chocolate treat. The classes also include fruit dipped in chocolate. The kids’ classes cost $60 while the teen classes are $70, with the take-home treats included. All classes are dairy free, egg free and vegan friendly. Bookings can be made here.

 
Tutoring4All
Tutoring4All is an all-round home tutoring service providing mentoring, study skills strategies, exam tips and tricks and a holistic approach to your child’s tuition. During the summer holidays, Tutoring4All will be offering intensive sessions for students from Years 3–12. These home-based sessions (servicing the Inner West) are designed for students to revise previous content and look at content that will be covered in the new year. Private sessions are by appointment and cost $55 per hour (primary school) or $60 per hour (high school). To express your interest, phone or text 0450 352 380 or email info@tutoring4all.com.au.

EVENTS
Powerhouse Museum
During the December–January school holidays, the Powerhouse Museum will be running a series of educational workshops as part of the STAR WARS ^TM Identities exhibition. The program has plenty of awesome activities for kids aged 7–13 years, from building droids to crafting their own Star Wars-inspired props, and storyboarding their own short Star Wars film with stop motion. For more information on the holiday workshops, see the website.
STAR WARS Identities: The Exhibition is open from now until 10 June 2019. Visitors can discover themselves as a customised Star Wars character. The exhibition houses a collection of over 200 original artefacts, costumes, and props from the Lucasfilm archives.
Kids aged 5–12 years can also explore the Forces in our world with FREE daily activities from 22 December–29 January.

 
You might also like:
Christmas Pottery for the Peeps!
Summer School Holiday Fun with Sydney Youth Orchestras
Unwrap Christmas at Tramsheds
Santa Snaps at Rhodes Waterside
Step into a Virtual Reality Winter Wonderland at Market City
 
 
 

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