His leadership is marked by a commitment to guiding a dedicated team focused on nurturing wellrounded young Territorians from three years of age to Year 12.

In addition to his educational leadership, Mr Nyhuis plays a crucial role in maintaining financial accountability and navigating policies, all while reporting to a passionate board of directors.

“It is a privilege and joy to hold these positions,” he says. “I have found the perfect fit at Essington.”

Mr Nyhuis says education, strategic leadership and corporate responsibilities are the defining aspects of his role, showcasing his comprehensive approach to fostering an enriching education and organisational environment.

His deep-rooted connection to education is not just a personal journey, but a family legacy.

Growing up in a household of educators instilled in him the values of learning and community engagement from a young age. This foundation, combined with his extensive knowledge of the Northern Territory, makes him an invaluable asset to the school and the broader community.

His upbringing shaped his understanding of educational needs and his commitment to nurturing future generations, empowering them to contribute to a bright and thriving Territory and beyond.

His responsibilities encompass upholding the highest educational standards, delivering a world-class education, supporting both students and staff, and actively engaging with the community.

The results are impressive – Essington, established by a small group of parents 35 years ago, consistently matches or exceeds the educational excellence of Australia’s leading independent schools.

Mr Nyhuis acknowledges that his work often fills his thoughts late into the night as he contemplates “the work to be done, strategy, innovations and priorities”.

“There’s no off switch.”

His hands-on, strategic management style gives him a comprehensive understanding of every facet of Essington’s operations.

“I inquire about various aspects, ranging from teaching and learning programs to grounds maintenance, finances, human resources, and policies,” he says.

“It’s not about micromanaging; we have a wonderful team and I have great confidence in their abilities. However, having a clear understanding of their work allows me to provide effective support and step back when needed. I monitor and support from a distance, only leaning in when essential.”

Mr Nyhuis, who was born in Hobart in 1971, comes from a family with deep educational roots.

His parents, Herman, and Lynn, emigrated from the Netherlands in the 1950s and were both educators. Herman’s role as principal took the family on a unique adventure from Tasmania to Papua New Guinea, then to Yuendemu, where young Paul and his brother Michael were among a xsmall number of non-Indigenous children at the community school, before finally settling in Darwin.

Mr Nyhuis attended Moil and Millner primary schools and later Marrara Christian College. He earned his teaching degree from Charles Darwin University, followed by advanced studies in the United States, which sparked a lasting connection. Over the last 30 years, he has returned numerous times for academic pursuits, including a transformative year as a co-principal in a leadership mentoring program and completing a Master of Education at Western Washington University. He began his teaching career at Stuart Park Primary School in 1993 at just 22 years old, already holding two university degrees. “I was just a young lad – it was very exciting,” he says. Mr Nyhuis gained valuable experience as an assistant principal in the United States before leading the middle school at what was then Kormilda College. He quickly advanced to become principal of Malak and then Bakewell schools. His career continued to flourish with senior executive roles within the Department of Education, including serving as the “principal of principals”.

Career highlights include being awarded the Palmerston and Rural Principal of the Year Award in 2018, founding the Student Voice Positive Choice youth initiative and returning to Yuendumu as an executive director after 40 years, where he had once been a student.

And, of course, riding his Harley-Davidson dressed as Santa into a school assembly.

Outside of education, Mr Nyhuis has a strong affinity for sports and outdoor activities that are beloved in the Northern Territory. He has played football for the Wanderers as a junior, and later for the Palmerston Magpies and University Rats.

Staying active is important to him; he enjoys the outdoors, camping and gardening, and riding motorbikes. He even competed in the 2015 Finke Desert Race on a quad bike, embracing the spirit of off-road racing that is part of the Territory’s culture.

Living in a rural area, he enjoys spending time with his family around campfires, engaging in the local pastime of storytelling, and sleeping under the stars. Family remains central to his life. His parents still live in Darwin.

“My mother is a beautiful lady with a kind nature — she always cares about others. My father is incredible — determined, hardworking, and generous. He can be very strong-willed, but he has always served our family well.

“I admire my parents. I think I inherited many good qualities from them.” Though he acknowledges that he has not always gotten it right, he considers himself “most fortunate and very blessed. “Married to his wonderful wife, Elizabeth, Paul is the proud father of four children: Kaleb, Brooke, Evelynn, and Annika.

With his two youngest children of school age, Mr Nyhuis is particularly invested in building a world-class educational choice for families in the Northern Territory.

He understands firsthand the importance of providing exceptional educational opportunities and resources that empower students to thrive and succeed, ensuring that his own children and others in the community have access to a bright future.

“I am totally, absolutely committed to my work at The Essington School.”

This commitment is rooted in two simple yet powerful beliefs: that teaching is a noble profession and that a good education is one of the most important gifts we can give our children, contributing to a positive and productive society.