ISNT Board Director & Principal of The Essington School
Paul Nyhuis joined the AISNT Board at its Annual General Meeting in May 2026. He has served as Principal and Chief Executive Officer of The Essington School Darwin since January 2024 and is committed to the school’s vision of building a world-class school through collaboration, positive relationships and high expectations.
With more than 30-years of experience across the Northern Territory and the United States, Paul has held a range of senior educational, system and executive leadership positions. He brings a broad and practical understanding of education, governance and organisational management.
Born in Hobart in 1971, Paul is a long-term Territorian with strong family connections to education. His parents emigrated from the Netherlands in the 1950s and were both educators. His father served as a school principal in Papua New Guinea and later at Yuendumu, where Paul and his brother were among a small number of non-Indigenous students attending the local school.
The family later moved to Darwin, where Paul attended Moil Primary School, Milner Primary School and Marrara Christian College, where his father also served as Principal. Paul went on to complete his teaching degree at Charles Darwin University.
Paul began his teaching career at Stuart Park Primary School in 1993, at the age of 22. He later continued his studies in the United States, completing a Master’s in Educational Leadership at Western Washington University. During his time in the United States, he gained valuable experience as an Associate Principal and participated in a year-long co-principal mentoring program.
After returning to Darwin, Paul led the Middle School at Kormilda College. In 2007 Paul was appointed to the role of Principal of Malak Primary. In 2009, he was then appointed General Manager of Student Services with the Northern Territory Department of Education, a position he held for four years. During this time, he worked with a highly capable team to lead a significant review of school support services across the Northern Territory. The review had a particular focus on students with additional needs and resulted in several important reforms.
Paul subsequently served as Principal of Bakewell Primary School, an Independent Public School in Palmerston and the largest primary school in the Northern Territory. He led Bakewell for six years before being appointed Senior Director of School Improvement and Leadership for Darwin, Palmerston and Rural schools, a position he held for four and a half years.
In 2018, Paul received the Palmerston and Rural Principal Award for founding the Student Voice Positive Choice Youth Initiative.
As Principal and Chief Executive Officer of Essington, Paul is responsible for educational leadership, strategic direction and corporate governance. He is committed to maintaining high standards and ensuring students receive a world-class education. His hands-on leadership style allows him to maintain a strong understanding of the school’s operations while remaining closely connected with students, staff and families. He also places great importance on clear communication and meaningful engagement with the wider school community.
Paul has a deep connection to the Northern Territory and enjoys camping, gardening and riding motorbikes. In 2015, he took on the challenge of competing in the Finke Desert Race on a quad bike.
Paul is married to Elizabeth and is the proud father of four children: Brooke, Kaleb, Evelynn and Annika. His extensive experience, strategic leadership and strong connection to the Northern Territory make him a valuable contributor to the AISNT Board.
