I've read a lot about how it came to be that students in the northern hemisphere get a break from school during the summer but

I've always wondered about european-influenced societies in the southern hemisphere.

Frankly, I don't even know what sort schedule schools follow 'down under'.

Would anyone care to elaborate?

I can remember, as a child, thinking that it would be a little weird to experience a 'hot' Xmas & 'cold' Independence (USA) Day!