The term 'HALF A SCHOOL YEAR' can be summarized as a 'SEMESTER', which is an 8-letter word. A SEMESTER is a period of time in the school year, typically lasting around 15-18 weeks. It is usually divided into two parts, with each part lasting half of the SEMESTER. During this time, students attend classes and complete assignments. At the end of the SEMESTER, students are typically assessed on their performance and given grades.