Australia’s Top 100 Private Schools: The Essington School is the top ranked Northern Territory private school

The principal of the Territory’s top private school credits his community’s “world class” vision for making the top spot. See the other NT schools ranked in the top 100 nationwide.

The principal of the Northern Territory’s top ranked fee paying school says his community has a vision “to be a world class school delivering a world class education”.

Paul Nyhuis is both the principal and chief executive of The Essington School, a composite co-ed independent school in Rapid Creek, Northern Territory.

Mr Nyhuis said his school’s success in Australia’s top 100 list is due to a number of factors.

“First and foremost, we have a very strong community of parents, staff and students,” he said.

“It’s a strong cohesive, connected community that shares a common purpose towards our vision.

“Our vision is to deliver a world class education.

“We have a very clear strategic improvement agenda — we know what we need to do and where we need to go.

“We also have the balance right.

“The balance to us is a very comprehensive curriculum that’s focused on academic achievement, paired with a really important blend of pastoral care and wellbeing.

“Students have a safe and uninterrupted learning environment.”

The factors Mr Nyhuis credits for the school’s success echoed the sentiments of Essington students.

Year 12 school captains Athanasia Papandonakis and Methuli Kulasekara, and Year 6 student Haamrish Manimaran said their favourite part about attending Essington was “the community” along with a sense of inclusivity and safety.

“It’s a really good feeling to walk into school and have people greet you and smile,” Athanasia said.

“I never come to school feeling worried or unsafe,” Methuli said.

“Kids look forward to coming to school every day,” Haamrish said.

Principal Paul Nyhuis at the top ranked Northern Territory school, The Essington School. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

Another element the students said they enjoyed was the school’s deep connection between peers from primary all the way to senior school.

“As senior students we’re really encouraged to connect with the younger students,” Athanasia said.

“Having everyone here on one campus has been one of my favourite parts about being at Essington.”

Science and maths teacher Fiona Curtis is also a parent of an Essington student.

She said her daughter benefited from this holistic school connection.

“She looks forward to every Thursday when the Year 9 girls come and teach her dancing,” Ms Curtis said.

Athanasia Papandonakis, Haamrishvardhan Manimaran and Methuli Kulasekara are students at the top ranked Essington School.

“You see them waving to each other around the school – it’s so cute.”

Mr Nyhuis calls this a “seamless continuity of learning”.

“This continuity of learning means you can engage here in preschool and have your educational journey go all the way through to Year 12,” he said.

“It means you have relationships, routines, familiarity, continuity and it’s all seamless.”

It is this approach and others that Mr Nyhuis has championed as both the principal and the chief executive of Essington — a unique title for a school leader.

“I blend the best of both of my passions,” he said.

The top performing students from The Essington School for the 2024 NTCET. Picture: Supplied

“Educational outcomes and governance organisation — it’s the boardroom to the classroom.

“I get to work with our directors and governing body to see how decisions we make in the boardroom are executed in the classroom.”

Mr Nyhuis said it is the ideas and implementation Essington does differently which build towards its “world class vision”.

“The vision is really simple: Essington a world class school,” he said.

“We are fundamentally committed to being a high performing, world class school.

“World class is measured through student outcomes, facilities, retention, financial sustainability, governance, leadership and culture.

“We have set ourselves a high standard and we will keep aspiring to do better both nationally and internationally.”

Originally published as Australia’s Top 100 Private Schools: The Essington School is the top ranked Northern Territory private school