2026 School Calendar Comparison

Term Structure

SDC uses 3 terms, PPS uses 4 terms

School Days

172

~172

Similar total despite different structures

First Day

14 Jan

Both start on the same date

Last Day

4 Dec

2 Dec

SDC ends 2 days later

Key Differences

Structure

3 Terms vs 4 Terms

SDC runs 3 longer terms with half-term breaks mid-term. PPS runs 4 shorter terms with longer inter-term holidays but no mid-term breaks.

Timing

Staggered Holidays

Holiday periods rarely overlap perfectly. SDC's Term 1 ends 2 Apr while PPS ends 27 Mar — a 6-day gap. The mid-year break is even more misaligned.

Planning

Overlapping Free Time

Shared free windows: late Dec–mid Jan, part of April, part of late June, and part of late Sep/early Oct. Plan family trips around these windows.

Structure

Half-Term Breaks

SDC has 3 half-term breaks (Feb, Jun/Jul, Oct) of ~4 days each. PPS has no mid-term breaks — only full breaks between terms.

Timing

Mid-Year Gap

SDC is off 8 Aug–7 Sep (1 month). PPS is off 27 Jun–19 Jul (~3 weeks). These barely overlap, creating a long stretch where at least one child is in school.

Planning

Public Holidays Match

All SA public holidays are observed by both schools (Human Rights Day, Youth Day, Women's Day, Heritage Day, etc.), so those days always align.

Term-by-Term Comparison

Period	Southdowns College	Pretoria Prep	Difference
Term 1	14 Jan – 2 Apr 55 days · Half-term: 20–23 Feb	14 Jan – 27 Mar ~52 days · No half-term	SDC runs 6 days longer, includes a 4-day half-term break
Break	3 Apr – 4 May ~4.5 weeks	28 Mar – 12 Apr ~2.5 weeks	SDC break is ~2 weeks longer; PPS break starts 6 days earlier
Term 2	5 May – 7 Aug 57 days · Half-term: 29 Jun–3 Jul	13 Apr – 26 Jun ~49 days · No half-term	PPS starts 3 weeks earlier, ends 6 weeks earlier
Break	8 Aug – 7 Sep ~4.5 weeks	27 Jun – 19 Jul ~3.5 weeks	No overlap — PPS break ends before SDC break starts
Term 3	8 Sep – 4 Dec 60 days · Half-term: 23–26 Oct	20 Jul – 18 Sep ~44 days · No half-term	PPS starts 7 weeks earlier; terms barely overlap (8–18 Sep)
Break	— No break (final term)	19 Sep – 4 Oct ~2.5 weeks	PPS has an extra break; SDC is in school
Term 4	N/A Part of Term 3	5 Oct – 2 Dec ~42 days · No half-term	PPS has a dedicated 4th term; SDC continues Term 3

Visual

Year-at-a-Glance Timeline

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Southdowns

Pretoria Prep

Both Off

SDC Term

SDC Half-Term

PPS Term

PPS Half-Term

Both Off (Family Time)

Holiday

Detailed

Month-by-Month View

Both in school

Only SDC in school

Only PPS in school

SDC Half-Term

Both off

Public holiday

Planner

Family Holiday Windows

Periods when both children are off school — ideal for family trips and activities.

Summer Break

5 Dec 2025 – 13 Jan 2026

~6 weeks

Both Off

Easter Window

28 Mar – 12 Apr

~2 weeks

Both Off

SDC Extra Apr

13 Apr – 4 May

~3 weeks

PPS in school

Mid-Year Gap

27 Jun – 3 Jul

~1 week

Both Off

PPS Jul Break

4 Jul – 19 Jul

~2 weeks

SDC in school

SDC Aug Break

8 Aug – 7 Sep

~4.5 weeks

PPS in school

PPS Sep Break

19 Sep – 4 Oct

~2.5 weeks

SDC in school

Year-End

3 Dec onwards

Summer break

Both Off

Best Family Trip Windows

Late Dec – Mid Jan

Longest overlap (~6 weeks). Summer holiday — ideal for a big family trip.

28 Mar – 12 Apr

Easter break overlap (~2 weeks). Great for an autumn getaway.

27 Jun – 3 Jul

Short mid-year overlap (~1 week). Plan a quick local trip.