Commonwealth Games cause ‘awfully long’ 12-week school term in 2026

Students and teachers will have to endure an extra two to three weeks on top of their usual term two to make way for the games.

Students and teachers at Victorian state schools will suffer through an “awfully long” 12-week term in 2026 as a result of the Commonwealth Games.

Under arrangements released by the Department of Education, term one will last just over six weeks from 27 January to Friday 13 March in 2026. This will make way for the games, which will be held in regional Victoria from 17 to 29 March.

Term two will begin on Monday 30 March to Friday 19 June, which is nearly 12 weeks compared to regular terms which are nine or ten weeks.

The dates, which have been communicated to schools, were determined through consultation and there will be no change to the overall number of Victorian school days.

Educational insiders are hoping severe school staff shortages putting additional pressure on teachers would have eased by 2026.

Australian Primary Principals Association president Malcolm Elliott

Malcolm Elliott, the immediate past president of the Australian Primary Principal’s Association, said the 12-week term will be “an awfully long time for kids to attend school and hard for teachers as well”.

“We are trying to encourage attendance and getting kids to engage in ongoing education so a fractured program is not good for anybody,” he said.

“The concern is that having the games in the holidays may restrict equity of access for all families. I would have thought this would be a great opportunity for the games to held in regular term time and have excursions to attend events built into programming,” Mr Elliott said.

“It’s a huge opportunity for children and young people to get up close and see their stars in sport and get something out of it,” he said.

A government spokesman said: “Victoria’s students will have every opportunity to cheer on their sporting heroes, with term dates for 2026 ensuring every student can rally behind Australians at the world’s first regional Commonwealth Games.

“The regional Commonwealth Games provide a once in a lifetime opportunity for local kids to be immersed in one of the world’s greatest competitions, inspiring the next generation Victorian sporting stars to follow their dreams to a global stage,” he said.

Renders for 2026 Commonwealth Games arenas and stadiums, Armstrong aquatics in Geelong. Picture: Supplied

School holiday dates were changed to allow children to attend both the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

Gail McHardy, CEO of Parents Victoria, said deliberations include considerations to student transition, end of year exams, assessment, public holidays and trying to balance out school term lengths with minimal impact to all involved.

“Parents Victoria always emphasises in these discussions that there is clear public facing communication when the decision is finalised to describe the why the term dates are being changed,” she said.

“It’s key the government communicates the benefits and the opportunities of the Games to Victorians on how Victoria can showcase our regional cities and the CBD.”

The Catholic sector has not yet determined their 2026 term dates and the Independent sector did not respond to a request for comment.

The ticketing strategy for Victoria 2026 is under development.

State school term dates 2026

Term 1: Tuesday 27 January to Friday 13 March 2026

Term 2: Monday 30 March to Friday 19 June 2026

Term 3: Monday 6 July to Friday 18 September 2026

Term 4: Monday 5 October to Friday 18 December 2026.