St Andrew Lutheran Primary School was the first Lutheran School to open in Darwin/Alice Springs. It opened in 1983 after a visionary and very challenging but admirable journey, which is a credit to the St Andrew Parish in Darwin and their powerful commitment to Lutheran Education. It commenced in January 1983 in rented rooms at the Pan Hellenic Cultural Centre in Nightcliff, the same facility that later housed Essington School for a period of time. In October 1985 the school moved to its new site in Leanyer which is where it is today. In 2015 the school ceased to be a stand-alone primary school and became a Junior School campus of Good Shepherd Lutheran College.

The visionary journey began in 1979. Families from the St Andrew Congregation in Leanyer were keen to pursue the idea of establishing a school. The Church Council were happy to tackle this possibility and tasked the Christian Education Committee of the Lutheran Church to make an assessment. As a result, a sub-committee was elected.

In March 1981 Pastor V Schubert arrived in Darwin and, eager about the idea, set about assisting the sub-committee to recommence the study and eventually it was presented to the Congregation in July suggesting that a one teacher, 20 to 30 - pupil school was feasible to open in 1983. This process was driven by enthusiasm and determination.

In February 1982 the sub-committee recommended to the Congregation to commence a school on the site selected in 1983. The Congregation accepted the proposal and a School Establishment Committee was elected. The acting Education Officer for the South Australia District of the Lutheran Church, Mr W Oster, visited Darwin to provide support and advice. By May the decision was made to rent 3 classrooms and an office from the Greek Community at the Pan Hellenic Cultural Centre for 1983 and the possibility of a further 2 years.

In July a site plan and staged building plan was drawn up and initial submissions to the Schools Commission of the Commonwealth Government were made. This was to establish eligibility for recurrent and capital grants. In August, fundraising commenced and donations of equipment were sought, a school policy document was produced and in October Interim school registration was obtained.

In November, Naomi Hoff accepted the call to be principal. Calling a principal proved to be a challenge, Darwin being a long way from the rest of Australia. Naomi was a real blessing as she was a highly experienced teacher who had also spent part of her career in Papua and New Guinea and so was used to being at a distance from friends and family. Interestingly many Lutheran teachers served in Papua and New Guinea. With the opening to take place in two months' time there was much to be done: application to the Schools Commission for capital grants for Stage 1, with a target for completion to be 1985. A preliminary master plan was included. An application was made to the NT Government for a recurrent grant for 1983. A School Council was elected by the Congregation to replace the School Establishment Committee.

And so it was, in January 1983, this remarkable challenge in determination and faith opened with 38 students. The two teachers were Miss Naomi Hoff who was also principal and was to teach grades 4-7 and Mrs Sue Beelitz to have care of T-3. Sue was newly married to Neville and was on her first assignment, having just graduated from the Lutheran Teachers College. The couple was so far from home which was the South Australian Mallee country for both of them. However, as is often the case distance from family and friends opens new and strong relationships. And so, it was with Sue and Neville who, when they finally left the school, and after a few years in their new home of Waikerie, hosted a “Back to Darwin” get-together for St Andrew ex-pats who had returned south. They had loved their time in Darwin and wanted to maintain the rich friendships they had made. This gathering has been repeated every year for the last 30 years, somewhere in South Australia. Unfortunately, Covid-19 prevented it in 2020. Interestingly the reunions attract 20-30, though the nucleus are those who were involved in setting up St Andrew. So often powerful relationships are formed in the Territory though to move there results initially in a major dislocation for families - though usually a new and powerful adventure.

On the 22 April the official opening of the School at the Pan Hellenic Cultural Centre was undertaken by the then Minister of Education Marshall Perron and was dedicated by Pastor V H Schubert. Later Marshall Perron was to become Chief Minister.

Mid-year 1983 Mr A Koch was appointed as principal with Miss G Nitschke as assistant to commence January 1984. In December the pioneer Principal, Miss Hoff, was farewelled.

In January 1984, the school was granted full registration, a notable achievement. The year started with 45 students.

1985 was the anticipated time for the new buildings to come on track. But in August there was great disappointment as the Schools Commission rejected the grant application for the new buildings. Limited funds were the reason given.

The school turned to the Community Employment Program for a grant of $280,000 but was rejected due to the perceived lack of appropriate labour in Darwin. If the Congregation was to take on funding it, they would need to raise a daunting $610,000. After an encouraging visit by the SA Director of Lutheran Education, Mr K Oster, and the school had a good academic report from the Regional Superintendent, the Congregation determined to raise funds and to this end allied to the Lutheran Church, SA District who offered support subject to NT Government support.

With finances approved, a Groundbreaking ceremony was held on the Leanyer site, and the building tender was awarded to local builder P. W. Baxter and Associates.

On October 28th, School was held at Leanyer for the first time. And then the Working Bs commenced for paving, flag poles, ground cover, watering systems and general tidying.

On November 24th1985, the school at the Leanyer site was officially opened by Commodore E. E. Johnston AM OBE the Administrator of the Northern Territory and dedicated by Pastor V H Schubert. For Territorians who have been around for awhile:

• Mr Garry Eckermann, Chairman, St Andrew School Council provided a welcome and greetings.
• Mr Tom Harris MLA Minister of Education - Address
• Mr Kevin Oster, Director of Lutheran Education South Australia - Address
• Mr Andrew Koch, Principal, Response.

What an amazing journey!

The following is a list of the principals who served at St Andrew.

• 1983                    Naomi Hoff
• 1984-1988          Andrew Koch
• 1989                    Chris Wilhelm
• 1990 - 1992        Inta Gertners
• 1993 - 1996        Dean Heyne
• 1997- 2002         Michael Bowmer
• 2003 -2007         Tom Leach
• 2008-2008          Kate Riley
• 2008-2008          Rachel Boyce
• 2009-2013          Damon Prenzler 
• 2014-2014.         Karen Koehler
• 2015-2015.         Karen Koehler became head of School under Good Shepherd. A new era had begun.

Written by Chris Tudor