THE ESSINGTON SCHOOL

Name

The Essington School

The Essington School is Darwin's leading independent private school, committed to delivering a world-class education built on high standards, respectful relationships, and a culture of excellence.

Address

19 Chrisp Street

Town or Suburb

Rapid Creek

State

Post Code

0810

Postal Address

PO Box 42321, Casuarina, NT, 0811

Region(s)

Darwin

Telephone

08 7913 8100

Website

www.essington.nt.edu.au

Enquiries Email

...

Enrolments Availability

The Essington School has limited vacancies for 2026. Please email enrolments@essington.nt.edu.au for more information.

Contact School / Apply for Enrolment

https://enrol.essington.nt.edu.au/enrolment-enquiry

Delivering a World-Class Education

Events Calendar

Upcoming Events

THE ESSINGTON SCHOOL - Kinder and Preschool Open Day
Sat Feb 21 @ 9:00AM - 10:30AM [16 Days to go]

THE ESSINGTON SCHOOL - Open Day
Wed May 06 @ 9:00AM - 10:30AM [90 Days to go]

View all events here

Facebook Feed

Enrolment Link

https://enrol.essington.nt.edu.au/application-for-enrolment/start

Principal

Mr Paul Nyhuis

School Type

Early Learning
Primary School
Secondary School
Primary - Year 12 School

Campus Anatomy

Kindergarten
P-12 Campus
Junior School
Senior School

School Character

Independent
Non-denominational

Year Levels

Preschool - Year 12

Religion

Non-denominational

Fees

Please contact the school to see our Fee Schedule.

International Students (CRICOS registered school)

Main Gender

Co-ed

Strong focus on...

Academic Achievement
Co-curricular Activities
Community
Discipline
Early Learning Fundamentals
Employment Pathways
Gifted and Talented
Media & Film Studies
Music
Numeracy / Literacy
Pastoral Care / Guidance
Personal Values
Science/Technology
Social & Emotional Learning
Tertiary Pathways
Welfare

Delivering a World-Class Education

The Essington School is Darwin's leading independent private school, committed to delivering a world-class education built on high standards, respectful relationships, and a culture of excellence. As a locally-founded school with over 35 years of experience in the Northern Territory, we are dedicated to nurturing creativity, inspiring imagination, and empowering students to achieve their personal best.

Guided by our Strategic Drivers: Educational Excellence, People Performance and Culture, Community Partnerships, Governance, Operations, and Innovation - we provide a comprehensive pathway from Preschool to Year 12, meeting the needs of all learners at every stage of their educational journey. Our school Values—Responsibility, Respect, Kindness, Inclusiveness, and Excellence, are woven into everything we do, shaping the way we interact with one another and approach learning.

In partnership with our community, we ensure that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential, preparing them to thrive in a rapidly changing global world. Our focus on achievement, wellbeing, and belonging equips students with the skills, resilience, and confidence to engage positively with the future, making a meaningful impact on the world beyond.

Delivering world-class education.

DOWNLOAD OUR PROSPECTUS

DOWNLOAD THE ESSINGTON SCHOOL 2025-2030 STRATEGIC PLAN

Overview

The Essington School opened as a Montessori Preschool in 1989, and was officially opened in September of that year by Margaret Muirhead, the wife of the NT Administrator. The school took its name from the pioneering efforts of the first Northern Territory settlers at Port Essington on the Coburg Peninsula.

The concept for the school originated in 1983 when a group of Darwin parents got together with a view to forming a play group for children. The group was to embrace the educational philosophy of Italian educationist, Dr. Maria Montessori. Originally located at the Pan Hellenic Cultural Centre in Nightcliff the school enrolled around seventy students initially. The Essington School moved to its current facilities in late 1991 into what was previously the Rapid Creek Primary School which closed down after Cyclone Tracy.

The school operated as Darwin's first private primary school for eight years upon which time the school received formal registration to proceed into secondary schooling in 1997.

In 1998, the new secondary building for the Middle School, the Webb Building, was officially opened by Dr Grahame Webb. The school went from strength to strength, and in 2011 we established the Senior College for Years 10, 11 and 12 at the nearby Charles Darwin University.

From these humble beginnings we have evolved to become a welcoming, multicultural school with a student cohort spanning from Preschool through to Year 12. We have worked hard to become Darwin's leading private school, and the importance of parents in the history of the school is what makes us so important to the Darwin community of today. Community members who attended the school as students now have children attending Essington. There are teachers who were once students - carrying on the school culture and spirit of what it means to be part of the Essington family.

Values

Responsibility
We take ownership and are accountable for our choices, words, and actions.

Respect
We value our school, and the safety, health, and wellbeing of all.

Kindness
We demonstrate care, compassion, and understanding towards others.

Inclusiveness
We are accepting of our individual differences, and everyone belongs.

Excellence
We uphold high expectations for ourselves and others, with a commitment to being 'world class'.

Vision

A World Class school

Mission Statement

The Essington School is committed to delivering a world class education built on a foundation of high standards and respectful relationships. We foster a culture of excellence, underpinned by our school values and a focus on achievement and wellbeing. In partnership with our community, we provide a comprehensive pathway from Preschool to Year 12, ensuring our young people have every opportunity to reach their potential, and engage positively in the world beyond.

If you are interested in employment opportunities at our school please visit the following page:

Employment link:

https://www.essington.nt.edu.au/about-essington/employment-opportunities-at-essington

Principal's Message

At Essington, we educate and inspire. Guided by our core values of Responsibility, Respect, Kindness, Inclusiveness, and Excellence, we foster a vibrant community where students, parents, and staff collaborate to achieve exceptional outcomes.

For over 35 years, we have been proudly homegrown in the Northern Territory, shaped by its unique spirit and committed to delivering a world-class education. Our dedicated staff empowers students with the skills, confidence, and mindset to thrive in an ever-changing world, while upholding the high standards of quality your child deserves.

We warmly invite you to discover what makes Essington truly special. We look forward to welcoming your family into our school community!

Paul Nyhuis
Principal/CEO

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