About Independent Schools Northern Territory

The Association of Independent Schools of the Northern Territory (AISNT) was formed in 1989 to represent and promote the diverse interests of Independent schools throughout the Northern Territory. 

AISNT is a Company Limited by Guarantee (Independent Schools of the Northern Territory Limited) and is registered with Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC).


Independent Schools have offered high-quality educational options for Northern Territory families since 1989, and the Association of Independent Schools of the Northern Territory (AISNT) takes pride in its role of representing and supporting these schools.


In the Northern Territory, Independent Schools are non-profit educational institutions that reflect the same diversity found in both their student bodies and the communities they engage with. The Independent Schools of the Northern Territory (AISNT) serves as a not-for-profit umbrella organization committed to advocating for Independent Schools throughout the Northern Territory.


AISNT represents and advocates for Independent Schools to governments, education stakeholders and the greater community to ensure diversity in educational opportunities for students. We promote Independent Schooling and its contribution to social and economic development within the Territory. We support Independent Schools through the development of quality leadership and governance.


AISNT are a member of Independent Schools of Australia (ISA), which is representative of all State and Territory Independent School Associations.


There are 25 Independent Schools located across the Northern Territory that provide choice and diversity to the communities they serve, ensuring all young people have access to quality education and the ability to pursue educational excellence.


Independent Schools are upheld by their responsibilities within the Education Act (NT) 2015 that imposes the requirements of financial obligations, accountability, curriculum, assessment and reporting. What sets Independent Schools apart from other sector schools is their independence in operating within the boundaries. Independent schools are setup and governed on an individual basis which connects them directly to their community and makes them answerable to their own governing board or management committee.

Independent Schools in the Northern Territory provide excellent educational opportunities for diversity and offering choice to families.

Independent Schools equip their students with the values, capabilities and skills to thrive and to contribute to society.

Services

AISNT works with Independent Schools in the Northern Territory to support them in achieving their educational goals.

Collaborate

AISNT engages Independent Schools and stakeholders through well-developed relationships, partnerships and networks.

Inform

AISNT promotes the Independent sector and communicates with the community, government and others within the Independent sector.

Advocate

AISNT advocates for Independent Schooling within the Northern Territory through active representation and promotion.

Membership

Our Member Schools are Independent Schools located  across the Northern Territory, that vary in size, religious affiliation and educational philosophy.  While diverse, what unifies our Member Schools is their commitment to provide excellence in educational opportunities, catering for the diversity of the student population in the Northern Territory, offering choice to families. 

Independent Schools are:

  • Registered under Part 7 of the Education Act (NT) 2015;
  • Provide full-time tuition with suitable staff;
  • Not run for profit; and
  • Not administered by or on behalf of the Northern Territory Government.


A school is eligible to apply for membership of Independent Schools of the Northern Territory provided it satisfies the criteria for admission to membership under Clause 17, of the ISNT Constitution.

Part 7 of the Education Act (NT) 2015 requires that a Non-Government school:

  • must be accountable for its safe, legal and financially viable operation and have in place corporate governance arrangements to support its safe, legal and financially viable operation;
  • must have curricula, teaching and assessment policies and practices and engage sufficient staff to effectively deliver education services for each stage of schooling delivered by the school and to monitor its education achievements;
  • must provide a safe, healthy and supportive learning environment that minimises the risk of harm to students and promotes the wellbeing of students.


(Education Act (NT) 2015 - Part 7, Division 2, 125 - Registration Requirements)

In serving their communities, Independent Schools aspire to high standards of school governance by basing their policies and procedures on principles of good practice:

  • Ethical decision-making to ensure that decisions are well informed and transparent;
  • Accountability for the financial viability of the school in order to ensure that the school can deliver the education offered to students to support the school’s mission;
  • Awareness by school committee members, board members and governors of their roles and responsibilities and those of management;
  • Accountability for the governance standards of the school;
  • Responsible management of the school; and
  • Sound employment practices at the school and the effective use of government funding.

Board of Directors

AISNT is governed by a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is elected at our Annual General Meeting.

Click here to view the ISNT Constitution.


The current Board of Directors:


  • Mike Tucker (Chair), Principal of Nyangatjatjara College;
  • David Arthur (Director);
  • Michael Tooler (Director), Principal of Sattler Christian College;
  • Matthew Qualischefski (Director), Principal of Good Shepherd Lutheran College;
  • Dr Gavin Morris (Director), Principal of Yipirinya School; and
  • Cheryl Salter (Director), Executive Director of the Association of Independent Schools of the Northern Territory.


Our People

At AISNT, we have a small but dynamic team that is happy to reach out and provide support in a range of diverse areas.

Cheryl Salter

Executive Director

Rachel Boyce

Deputy Director

Chris Tudor

Principal Liaison & AISNT Historian

Coralie Boyd

Executive Administration / Careers & Pathways

AISNT and Commonwealth Government Funding

Choice and Affordability Fund

(CAF)

The Choice and Affordability (CAF) fund was developed to support the non-government school sector, to help provide a flexible means for driving government priorities. AISNT will administer funding in line with agreed priorities for the fund. This fund commenced in 2020, and will be provided to the non-government sector over the next 10 years until 2029.


This fund will supplement Commonwealth recurrent funding, to help drive government priorities. This includes;

  • Supporting parental choice and affordability of schools.
  • Assisting schools during the transition to the new Direct Measure of Income (DMI) for determining a non-government schools capacity to contribute.
  • Assisting schools in regional and remote areas; and schools in drought affected areas.
  • Enhancing student wellbeing and support initiatives.
  • Lifting outcomes in underperforming schools.


As a part of our agreement, AISNT is required to provide our CAF workplans to allow visibility of where we are spending our fund. 


Choice and Affordability Fund 2022 - 2025

 

Choice and Affordability Fund 2020 - 2021


Non-Government Reform Support Fund (NGRSF)

Non-Government Reform Support Fund (NGRSF) provides funding to non-government representative bodies to support schools in implementing the national and state/territory school reform policy initiatives. AISNT administers funding to support school education in line with guidelines and our approved work-plan.

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