Winter Holiday Programmes 2026

This winter, Academia invites students to join our annual Holiday Programmes, a curated series of two-day workshops and three-day symposiums designed to strengthen key areas of the English curriculum, with particular emphasis on the craft of writing.

For over a decade, our Holiday Programmes have combined academic rigour with thoughtful, engaging instruction. Each module is reviewed and refreshed annually, drawing on our students’ progress, evolving academic expectations and developments in educational research.

The result is a suite of programmes that balances proven approaches with new ideas, giving students the opportunity to deepen their skills, explore language more thoughtfully and return to school better prepared for the year ahead.

WRITING 003
A Storyteller’s Journey: Navigating through the Story Structure

The early primary school years are a pivotal time for younger students to gain strong writing skills and cultivate positive attitudes towards writing, to develop important cognitive and creative abilities that are essential for success in school.

This 3-day workshop focuses on understanding the key elements that make up a compelling story. Through a series of guided exercises and group discussions, the students will gain a deeper understanding on the basic components of a story, such as characters, setting, plot, conflict and resolution. They will learn techniques that help them organise their thoughts and ideas, and produce a coherent and structured narrative, incorporating storylines and ideas from renowned fairy tales.

This workshop provides an opportunity for students to build their foundation and become familiar with the skeleton of story-writing that will prepare them for the intricacies of composition writing. At the end of the workshops, students will be able to identify the main idea and the structural components of a story, in order to compare and contrast different stories based on their structure and elements. Through this learning process, they will create their own stories with a clear beginning, middle and end.

The Brief:

For Primary 1 and 2 students
3 Sessions over 3 days
100 including GST

On-Campus at Upper Thomson:

Tuesday 24 November — Thursday 26 November 2026
10am — 12pm

On-Campus at Coronation:

Tuesday 1 December — Thursday 3 December 2026
10am — 12pm

WRITING 110:
Everyday Heroes: A Characterisation Workshop

The finest writers build their stories around characters, anchoring imagination in something vivid, tangible and profoundly human. This workshop invites Primary 3 and 4 students to do the same, and to discover how great storytelling begins with the people who inhabit the page.

Across two days, students will explore the essential elements of narrative through a series of engaging, sensory-based activities. Each exercise is carefully designed to help young writers internalise the textures of good writing, translating what they feel and perceive into words that move and resonate.

From grammar and vocabulary enrichment to kinaesthetic character work and emotional expression, the workshop nurtures both technical skill and creative confidence. By the end, each student will have crafted original pieces of writing, guided by a newfound understanding of storyboarding and the art of bringing characters to life.

The Brief:

For Primary 3 and 4 students
2 Sessions over 2 days
100 including GST

On-Campus at Upper Thomson:

First Run:
Monday 23 November — Tuesday 24 November 2026
10am — 12pm

Second run:
Monday 30 November — Tuesday 1 December 2026
10am — 12pm

WRITING 203
A Writer’s Tools: Narrative Structure and Descriptive Techniques

Composition writing in upper primary can be challenging because it requires students to write longer and more structured compositions, use a wider range of vocabulary, and develop a deeper understanding of narrative structure, organization, and descriptive language. Additionally, upper primary students are often required to write compositions on a variety of topics, which can be unfamiliar and require research and critical thinking skills.

This 2-day writing workshop is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the basic elements of each part of the story curve. Students will learn how to establish a story introduction with character backstory and setting description, build suspense in the rising action and climax, and flesh out the falling action and conclusion for a well-rounded story.

We go beyond the basics of narrative structure to teach students how to use descriptive techniques to bring their stories to life. With a focus on upgrading their vocabulary, students will learn to vividly describe emotions, dialogue, and actions. They will also learn how to paint a picture with their words and create a world that readers will want to immerse themselves in. Through personalized feedback and constructive criticism, we will help students develop their unique writing style and become confident and skilled writers.

The Brief:

For Primary 5 and 6 students
2 Sessions over 2 days
200 including GST

On-Campus at Upper Thomson:

Wednesday 2 December — Thursday 3 December 2026
10am — 12pm

On-Campus at Coronation:

Wednesday 25 November — Thursday 26 November 2026
10am — 12pm

WRITING 204
Family and Friendships

Some of the strongest PSLE compositions are not built on dramatic accidents or grand adventures, but on moments that feel real — a celebration that brings people closer, a surprise that changes someone’s day, or a friendship that proves its worth when it matters most.

In this three-day workshop, students will explore three composition topics under the theme of Family & Friendships: A Special Celebration, A Pleasant Surprise, and A Special Friendship. Each session will guide students in shaping relatable experiences into complete, engaging stories with clear conflict, emotional movement, and satisfying endings.

Students will learn how to create warm family scenes, reveal character through thoughtful dialogue, build anticipation before a surprise, and show the depth of a friendship through action rather than explanation. With guided planning, targeted writing practice, and detailed feedback, this workshop helps students write with greater confidence, control, and heart.

The Brief:

For Primary 5 and 6 students
3 Sessions over 3 days
280 including GST

On-Campus at Upper Thomson:

Tuesday 24 November — Thursday 26 November 2026
10am — 12pm

On-Campus at Coronation:

Tuesday 1 December — Thursday 3 December 2026
10am — 12pm

Academia Exploratory and Preparatory Programmes

For older students, Academia also offers transition programmes during this period. ADM301 supports Primary 6 students preparing for Secondary 1 through an introduction to secondary-level English, Language Arts and Literature, while ADM501 introduces students entering Junior College to the reading, writing and critical-thinking demands of General Paper.

For more details, visit the Academia Exploratory and Preparatory Programmes page here. 

Academia Privileges

Current Academia students enjoy an exclusive 20% privilege on the English workshop fees listed above, before GST. The same privilege is extended to friends who enrol in the same workshop together with an Academia student.

This holiday, experience Academia beyond the regular term through programmes designed with the same care, rigour and attention to quality that define our classes.