The Essington School

Student of one year. Good middle school facilities. Good teachers. But too many English presentations, lol. Best school in Darwin.

Great leadershipThe best schools have strong, dynamic, dedicated leaders. They are led by women and men who have a clear vision of what they plan to accomplish. They also have the experience to execute their plans in order to achieve that vision. The head of the best school is a superb fund-raiser. She is a capable administrator. She leads by example. She expects the best from everybody in her school community.Stellar facultyAt the heart of the best schools' mission is first-rate teaching. That requires well-educated, well-trained professional teachers who are passionate about what they are teaching. They are also passionate about teaching young people. That kind of teaching is right up there with a calling in my opinion. It requires focus and patience which is not often required in other branches of the profession such as, for example, adult education. I have taught both groups. I always find that adults are in the classroom because they want to get ahead by earning some credits or a diploma. Young people, teenagers, in particular, are in such a state of flux that the professional focus and patience which we bring to our work is essential. It is a hallmark of the faculty at the best schools.Extensive academicsInterestingly enough, extensive academics does not mean lots of AP courses or even an IB curriculum in my opinion. I feel very strongly that course content is important. But it is equally important for young people to have lots of subjects to explore. They can do that at the best schools. The approach may differ from school to school but in just about every case I can think of the best schools offer lots of subjects for their students to explore.Extensive athleticsAs I have mentioned at great length in several other articles about private schools, athletics are just simply part of the program. They are not optional. They are designed to teach young people the values of competition, teamwork and respect for others. Wait! Aren't those the same things that are being taught across the academic side anyway? Yes. That's an integrated approach to educating the whole child. The best schools are really good at teaching those values.Extensive extracurricular activitiesTied in with extensive academic and athletic offerings are the extracurricular activities. The best schools will offer a host of activities. Some will be fairly recent additions to the extracurricular activities roster. Others will be perennial favorites. Because the extracurricular activities in a private school are guided and supervised by a member of the faculty or staff, they function at a high level at the best schools.Superb facilitiesThe best schools have truly remarkable facilities. I have in mind a smallish Montessori school and a rather grand old, established boarding school. The little Montessori school is the best school in my opinion because it takes the ideals and principles of Montessori education to a level far above anything else I have seen. Everything you would expect is there.

Toxic work environment from administration down to some teacher's. Staff bullying from management and high turnover of teacher's. Incompetent management who are dishonest towards parents about their child's achievements. Everything here is all glossy to look good to parents, but this is all about keeping parents appeased and bums on seats. Get rid of the junior school coordinator and the school would be a far better place.

This is a fun and friendly school that challenges yourself into different tasks like tug of war and dodge ball and thats only the class challenges wait until you here about what is going on around the classes, you get to do fun stuff in science like melting chocolate and cool stuff in P.E like Gaelic Football. Essington is one of the best school and if not the Greatest schools in Darwin

Junior school has consistently impressed. We are grateful for the dedication of the Essington teachers, the integration of the early childhood years and early primary school (through the pre-transition program) and the way my child comes home at the end of the day saying 'I've had a great day at school!'. We've found the school professional, friendly, approachable and dedicated. Highly recommended.

Both my kids have gone to Essington since pre-school. It's a very fine school that unashamedly strives for excellence. Fees are moderate compared with private schools interstate. The teachers are highly trained and dedicated.

My little girl started here and has been happy and learned through play. She is an incredible reader and loves it. She knows her numbers she knows her letters, she is just thriving and i thank the teachers who care and create such a lovely learning environment. The school is committed to continuous improvement and i am extremely happy with what we have experienced. We have been given information sessions about how to help our children learn the way they are teaching, we have timetables and are always in contact with the teacher. Really happy. Thanks team.

I think the other reviews are harsh and I would question whether or not they have sent their kids to Essington. I think in the territory there is always a backlash against private schools simply because they are private. Compared to where we sent our child to public school in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, the maths were far ahead, they have far better IT facilities and STEM focus. Its a nice little campus with friendly staff and parents. Arts are lacking however. The price is a fraction of what you would pay anywhere else in Australia and the school is far more diverse culturally and when it comes to social economic status. Its not perfect but for the small price you pay I think it tries to deliver to the best of its ability.

Film studies is great. So are many other subjects. Teachers are very dedicated. And barely any homework. So, thanks? i guess.

Our son loves it. Great, dedicated teachers go above and beyond expectations. Not cheap, but nowhere near as expensive as interstate private schools. Good academic results and plenty of opportunities for extra curriculum activities such as sport, music and dance.