Association of Independent Schools of the Northern Territory

🚀Meet Our Board// Paul Nyhuis
Paul Nyhuis commenced as Principal/CEO of The Essington School in January 2024. He has more than 25 years of experience in education and leadership across the Northern Territory and the United States.

Paul holds a Master of Educational Leadership and has served in a range of leadership positions, including Principal and Associate Principal. Throughout his career, he has worked across primary and secondary education, leading strategic initiatives, staff development, student wellbeing programs and school improvement projects.

A long-term Territorian, Paul has developed extensive knowledge of the Northern Territory education sector and has built strong professional relationships across government, independent and community organisations.

Paul joined the AISNT Board as a Director in 2026 and brings broad educational leadership experience and a strong commitment to supporting quality independent education in the Northern Territory.

🔗https://www.aisnt.asn.au/meet-our-board-paul-nyhuis>

An exciting milestone for Haileybury Rendall School Transition students!

Haileybury Rendall School recently held their Twilight Concert!

What an amazing learning opportunity for Milkwood Steiner School Darwin Students!

Vale Ed Marshall – Words by Chris Tutor

Ed Marshall Served AISNT in the 1990s as the Executive Officer. He was a true gentleman, a sensitive, softly, spoken Canadian who migrated and made Australia his home. He worked at Billanook in Mooroolbark under Dr Peter Harris as Principal who was a founder of AISNT as well and who engaged Ed to be the Executive Officer before a permanent long term NT appointment could be made. Ed remained resident in Melbourne and would fly up to undertake his AISNT Duties. The years were 1994,1995 and 1997.

At Billanook, Ed had been a Special Ed teacher. As a gentle, thorough, sensitive but highly principled teacher; Ed made a difference to many students as he did as the AISNT Executive Officer. I attended national meetings of NCISA which was the name of the national organization known today as ISA with Ed. It was a pleasure to work with Ed, who was always well prepared and contributed thoughtfully and appropriately to discussions on various issues.

Ed also had the task of being our bookkeeper and, even though this was back in the 1990s, I can still see his immaculate small figures, always diligently and accurately done. As time went on Kath Phelan came on deck and the two of them shared the position until Kath eventually took over full time and became executive director.

Ed’s time at AISNT was so important as he kept the organisation on a fine administrative footing. He believed in the organisation and fully understood the challenge in being engaged in something new. I became a good friend of Ed’s and over the years enjoyed my occasional meetings and phone calls with him.

He was indeed a true AISNT pioneer and champion.

🚀NT Independent Schools Offer// Place-Based Learning

The NT offers a learning environment unlike anywhere else in Australia — vast distances, unique landscapes and diverse communities. This makes place‑based learning a powerful approach across NT Independent Schools..

Place‑based learning connects students to the world around them. It draws on local environments, community knowledge, role models and real‑life experiences to help students understand where they live and how their community works. Outdoor learning is a key part of this where the classroom is brought into the community through camps, local excursions, environmental projects, partnerships with local organisations and sporting or leadership activities.

These experiences build confidence, resilience, teamwork, curiosity and a deeper sense of connection. They help students see learning as something real, relevant and grounded in the place they call home.

🚀Meet Our Board// Cheryl Salter

Cheryl Salter is the Executive Director of ISNT, with extensive NT education experience across Catholic, Independent and Special Education contexts. Her background includes classroom teaching, bilingual education, leadership roles at Essington, and serving as AISNT’s 2IC before becoming Executive Director.

Cheryl brings deep knowledge of NT and Federal regulation, funding, governance and sector relationships, alongside strong expertise in Special Education and Industrial Relations.

🔗https://www.aisnt.asn.au/aisnt-staff-cheryl-salter-executive-director

🚀Meet Our Board// Chair Michael Tooler

Michael Tooler serves as the Chair of the ISNT Board and is the Principal of Sattler Christian College. With extensive leadership experience across Christian education and qualifications spanning International Relations and Affairs, Law (with a focus on contract law and human rights), Education and Educational Leadership, Michael brings strong sector insight and a steady, community‑focused presence to the Board.

His commitment to Territory schools, along with his work as a Justice of the Peace and as a mentor with the Australian Christian Mentoring Network, continues to strengthen the Independent School sector in the NT.

🔗https://www.aisnt.asn.au/meet-our-board-michael-tooler

It was an honour to welcome our esteemed SAIS School Director, Mrs. Cristina Dias Quintas. Her visit was filled with warmth, inspiration, and meaningful interactions with our students, creating a memorable experience enriched with smiles, encouragement, and positive connections.💕