The Essington School
Secular
Updated July 2026
The Essington School is an independent, co-educational private school in Darwin offering a comprehensive educational pathway from Preschool to Year 12. It is committed to delivering a world-class education focused on high standards, academic excellence, and individual student development.
Curriculum
Teaching approach
The school is guided by an adaptive learning philosophy that caters to the individual interests and talents of every child. Its core values—Responsibility, Respect, Kindness, Inclusiveness, and Excellence—shape the school's culture and approach to learning. The school is parent-led and independent, with a governance structure that emphasizes community partnership and shared responsibility for student success.
Programmes
The school provides a continuous educational pathway from Preschool through to Year 12. The academic structure is divided into Early Years, Junior School, and Senior School, with specific offerings such as the SEAL (Select Entry Accelerated Learning) program. The curriculum is supported by a focus on literacy, numeracy, and dynamic learning experiences designed to prepare students for post-secondary pathways.
Outcomes
The school aims to prepare students to thrive in a global world, equipping them with the skills, resilience, and confidence to engage positively with the future. Senior school programs are designed to facilitate the transition for students into university and post-secondary studies.
Student support
Learning support
The school employs a wellbeing framework to support the needs of its students. It focuses on providing a caring school environment and utilizes resources to deliver quality teaching and best-practice learning tailored to individual student needs.
Tuition & fees
No published fee schedule was found for this school.
Admissions
The school welcomes new students throughout the year via a staged entry program, subject to year group availability. Prospective families are encouraged to book a school tour with the relevant Head of School, while families relocating from interstate or overseas may arrange a virtual meeting. Enrolment involves a process where each family nominates one parent to be a member of the school company.
Calendar
The school operates on a four-term academic year. Terms typically run from late January to early December, with breaks in April, July, and September. Daily start and finish times vary by year level, with Preschool sessions beginning as early as 8:00 am and Senior School (Years 7–12) concluding at 2:50 pm.
About the campus
Located in Rapid Creek, the campus includes a canteen, a library, and facilities to support its academic and extracurricular programs. The school provides a student laptop program to support learning. Specific details regarding sports, arts, and laboratory facilities are not provided in the available documentation.
Co-curriculars
The school offers a range of enrichment programs, including creative and performing arts and physical education. Students have the opportunity to participate in outdoor education and camps, as well as The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award. Additionally, the school provides before and after-school clubs and care programs.
- Paul NyhuisPrincipal/CEO
Paul joined Essington in January 2024. He is a seasoned professional with a 25-year career in education and leadership, holding a Master's in Educational Leadership and experience as a Principal and Associate Principal in the Northern Territory and the United States.
- Joan JuddHead of Senior School Years 7 to 12
Joan arrived in Australia in 2012 after teaching for 19 years in Scotland. She has served as Head of Mathematics and Head of Middle School at Essington before her current appointment, and she holds a Bachelor of Science (Mathematical Sciences) and a Postgraduate Certificate of Secondary Education.
- Simone TimmsHead of Junior School
Simone has over two decades of experience in education and leadership, holding a Master of Education (Leading Learning) and certification as a Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher. She has previously served as an Assistant Principal and Acting Principal in the Northern Territory.
- Hannah ZwitserHead of Improvement and Innovation
Hannah joined Essington in 2024, bringing experience from senior roles within Education Queensland and the Northern Territory Department of Education, including as a primary school principal and Director of Education Improvement. She focuses on evidence-based practice to strengthen teaching and learning.
- Luigi ManzioneBusiness Manager
Luigi joined The Essington School in 2024 with over a decade of experience in finance and business management. His career includes roles in finance, energy generation, and events management, with a focus on financial reporting, strategic planning, and corporate governance.
- Jayne LomasExecutive Officer
Jayne has been part of the Essington community since 2013 and has over 25 years of experience in administration across the UK, Germany, and Kuwait. She is a Justice of the Peace and holds a Diploma in Business Administration and a Cert IV in WHS.
- Peter KentDirector of Information, Communication, and Learning Technologies
Peter leads the ICT Support Team, focusing on innovative projects to improve communication, data capturing, and reporting systems. He drives initiatives in learning technologies, cyber security, and data visualisation to support academic and wellbeing outcomes.