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Since its establishment twenty-six years ago, The Essington School Darwin was unique in the Northern Territory education scene using the international Montessori education model in its preschool. This provided a solid early years education foundation built on in the primary and middle years with an accelerated Australian curriculum. To further enhance our Australian curriculum offering, we used international curricula to extend our students further. Nineteen years ago, when few Australian schools were looking internationally, The Essington School Darwin was a member of the European Council of International Schools (ECIS). This gave the school access to many accredited leading international schools and their curricula and pedagogy. When ECIS was restructured to create a separate group to service international schools in Australasia called the Council of International Schools (CIS), our school was a founding member. From 2013 we formalized our international curricula by being accredited by Cambridge Universities Cambridge Education branch to be a Cambridge International School. At the time, we were the sixth school in Australia to be accredited by Cambridge Education. The only Australian school accredited to offer their international programs from primary to senior secondary years. The value of delivering the Australian curriculum at a high level while enhancing it with international education curricula and programs is borne out in our student results on national and international assessments. Our students consistently 'Significantly Above' the Australian school average in most areas, which is an outstanding achievement. The school's seamless education model from Preschool to Year 12 is now delivering exceptional student outcomes in the Year 12 NT Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET) results. The new Essington School was officially opened in 1990 by Mrs. Margaret Muirhead, wife of the then NT Administrator. Wendy Darwin, a teacher at the school in its first fourteen years, remembers initiating a Montessori playgroup on Fridays and "before too long we had two sessions running." She recalled Dr. Vicki Mathews' visit from the United States to oversee her Montessori Practical Exams 1 and 2. The Essington School Darwin bases its philosophy on the Montessori Model of education. He has used this philosophy at the primary and secondary levels to develop its own 'Essington' education model. The school aims to encourage and foster academic excellence, self-esteem, independence, and healthy self-discipline habits. The Kindergarten and Preschool years are some of the most critical years of a child's learning. The Essington School Darwin provides a program based on the Montessori philosophy of education and focuses on the individual. The focus of these programs is the children's social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development. All children deserve the best possible start in life, from the early development of vital literacy and numeracy skills in preschool and primary years to middle school's crucial transition period. At The Essington School Darwin, all facets of education are introduced in the early stages of a child's development, including computers and related technology, performing and dramatic arts, languages (Indonesian), art, literacy and numeracy skills, music, and the development of gross and fine motor skills which extend natural abilities and fitness while maintaining natural physical vitality. The Early Learning Unit provides a stimulating environment for children within a Montessori based program based on individual progression. Children are valued as individuals about their emotional, social, and intellectual development, and learning programs have been designed with this in mind. As part of the more comprehensive Essington School, the Early Learning Unit can offer students the advantage of specialist teachers for subject areas. The Junior School is a warm, supportive environment where every child will feel welcome and safe. Classrooms are located on the same level, and specialist rooms are easily accessible for Information Technology, Music, Art, and Indonesian. There is an emphasis on the core subjects Mathematics, English, Science, and Humanities linking in the school-wide literacy and numeracy initiatives, including the 'First Steps' Literacy Program. Our teachers strive to ensure that each child works at a standard appropriate to their ability and find challenging and satisfying. A lower student-teacher ratio means greater individual attention for your child during their foundation years of schooling. In the Junior School, students are grouped on a two-year multilevel basis. The Middle School builds on the Junior School work. It uses multilevel education variations to develop a vital early secondary education based on a (core) curriculum with, where possible, an integrated approach to learning that incorporates the latest learning technologies. Students complete a course of study to Year 10, providing work and attendance requirements are met. View full school

School days are crucial in a young person’s life. The success achieved in school often forms the bedrock on which our future achievements are constructed – a time when attitudes are formed, interests are awakened, and characters are forged. I know that choosing a secondary school for your son or daughter is a time of anxiety, concern, and great excitement. As a parent, you want the very best for your children and you will be looking for a school where they will experience success, be happy, and be fulfilled. Charles Darwin School is a place where students thrive both academically and socially. We believe in making the most of every ability and talent, we do this by offering a broad and balanced curriculum with a strong emphasis on the vital, core subjects of English, Maths, Science, and the Humanities. Our focus is on achievement and all pupils are encouraged to do their best and fulfill their special potential. Examination success is very important to us but we also value other achievements. Participation in extra-curricular activities such as our high-quality school productions, successes in the workplace, and ensuring positive contributions to community activities reflect some of the many dimensions of learning that are highly valued at Charles Darwin School. Students are expected to attend all lessons, assemblies, tutorials, and registrations punctually Sign in at Student Services if late arriving at school. Year 13 students only are entitled to one block of study leave per week and this is wholly at the discretion of the Head of Sixth Form Most students (timetable permitting) will have Wednesday afternoon for recreational purposes although the school must know where the students will be. Students should make every effort to make medical/dental appointments and driving lessons out of school teaching hours. Attendance is expected to be 95% or above. Students will be expected to attend Friday morning detentions from 8 – 8.30 am if they are late two or more times a week. By working in partnership with parents, our well-qualified, highly-skilled, and committed staff aim to secure a successful future for all students based on a foundation of good examination performance and high levels of social responsibility. Our students tell us that they take pleasure in coming to school - a place where they are challenged by the work, where the staff and fellow students support them, and where achievement is part of their everyday experience. Charles Darwin School Council works throughout the year to improve school life and the quality of the learning experience for both students and teachers. We also develop relations within the local community. The School Council is a strong link between students, staff, and the Governors. Each year group is represented by two students who speak for their year. The teachers and governors also have a representative each. Throughout the year, we help make important decisions within the school and also run fundraising events to raise money which the different faculties bid for at the end of each school year for equipment and resources to benefit students’ education. Recently the School Council has been responsible for surveying the students and teachers to help design this site and develop our new logo. We have contributed to decisions on the uniform, school toilets and represent the school at functions and community events. Charles Darwin School is committed to: Encouraging all students to consider their career options from Year 7 through school and beyond, through well-structured tutor programs Ensuring that all students are knowledgeable about, and effective at, using the resources available to them in the careers library, on the school website, and on-line, as well as providing up to date information about courses and events that are taking place locally and nationally Encouraging all students to develop decision-making skills Providing an experience of the world of work through activities such as Mock Interviews, enrichment days, and cross-curricular Work Relating Learning opportunities Developing a careers program that meets the needs of undecided students Equipping all students for independent learning and lifelong learning providing students with impartial and independent careers advice and guidance Taking part in events such as Skills London to provide our students with the information they need to build a personal career plan Preparing students for university and the world of work by providing interview practice and support with writing personal statements and CVs. View full school