Essington International School enrolments lowest in eight years

DARWIN’S Essington International School is facing its lowest student enrolments in eight years in 2020.

Brian Kennelly is the principal at the Essington International School

DARWIN’S Essington International School is facing its lowest student enrolments in eight years in 2020.

In a board address to the school, director Matt Kelly said the school would “decline back to our historical level of around 900 students” next year.

In 2015, the school peaked at 1180 enrolments while in 2012 it had 874 enrolments.

As well as being impacted by the economic downturn, it has seen students move across to the emerging Haileybury Rendall School at Berrimah.

A significant downturn in students will mean its federal funding will be significantly impacted.

“Like the rest of the community, the Board is acutely aware of the downturn in the Darwin economy that coincides with the completion of a number of major projects,” Mr Kelly said.

“As the school settles back to (next year’s) level there will be the opportunity to re-balance operations and identify further efficiencies which will ultimately allow for increased expenditure on capital projects and investment in School improvements and new initiatives.”

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After leading the school for 20 years, past principal David Cannon resigned after a disagreement with board at the end of last year and replaced by Brian Kennelly.

Mr Kelly said the board acknowleged there were areas of improvement needed.

“As we look ahead to 2020, the Board has a number of areas of immediate focus,” he said.

“The most significant is the development of a new strategic plan for the next five years, together with a Capital Master Plan for the next 20 years.

“This will include extensive consultation with staff, students and parents and incorporate the data from the MMG Community Sentiment Surveys which have been undertaken over the past fortnight. This new strategic plan will be our road map into the future.

“The work is complex and will necessarily take much of the year to complete. Our aim is to provide an update on progress at the 2020 AGM and launch the plan to the community in the second half of next year.”

School fees would increase by 2.8 per cent next year.

“Within the financial planning and modelling for the future the Board is intent on keeping the School affordable while maintaining high quality educational programs,” Mr Kelly said.