The Department of Education and Training is making strong progress in its transition to comprehensive high schools across Darwin, Palmerston and Alice Springs.
As part of this transition, several Darwin schools will adopt new names from Term 1, 2026, with names selected in close consultation with school communities:
Nightcliff Middle School will become Nightcliff High School.Sanderson Middle School will become Sanderson High School.Dripstone Middle School will become Dripstone Secondary College.
Casuarina Senior College will retain its current name and continue to service years from Years 10 to 12.
Darwin Middle and Darwin High Schools will merge to become Darwin High School.
The proposed names for the new Palmerston secondary schools selected by the school communities are:
Driver Secondary SchoolRosebery Secondary School.
A formal process is currently underway to close Palmerston College and establish the new schools.
Centralian Middle School and Centralian Senior College in Alice Springs will transition to form a new comprehensive high school, operating as a single entity from 2027. The name will be determined through community consultation.
The move away from middle schools is designed to give students a more consistent and supportive learning experience from Year 7 to Year 12 by reducing transitions, strengthening relationships, and building clearer pathways through secondary education.
Susan Bowden, Chief Executive of the Department of Education and Training congratulated all school communities on the selection of the names of their new schools.
"The naming of new schools, developed in close consultation with their communities, represents a major milestone in this important reform, she said.
"These names reflect local identity and pride and mark the beginning of a new chapter in secondary education across the Territory."
The department will continue to manage the transition, and consult with staff, students, and families throughout the process.
The department is also pleased to announce the appointment of principals for each of the comprehensive schools:
Ms. Annette Pedersen, current Principal of Darwin Middle School, will lead the new comprehensive Darwin High School.Ms. Maisie Floyd, current Principal of Palmerston College, will lead the new Driver Secondary School.Ms. Kristi Beynon, current Head of Campus at Palmerston College's Rosebery site, will lead the new Rosebery Secondary School.Ms. Donna O'Brien, current Principal of Gillen Primary School, has been appointed to lead the new comprehensive high school in Alice Springs.Ms. Eva Kokkinomagoulos will continue to lead Nightcliff Middle School as it transitions to a comprehensive high school.Ms Nektaria Pikoulos will continue to lead Dripstone Middle School as it transitions to a comprehensive school.Mr. Robert McIntosh will continue to lead Sanderson Middle School through its transition to a comprehensive high school.Mr. Glenn Dixon will continue as Principal of Casuarina Senior College.
Ms. Bowden also congratulated the principals of the new schools who with their extensive experience are well-placed to lead and support their student success.
"We're delighted to welcome such a talented and experienced group of school leaders to guide our new comprehensive high schools," she said.
"These appointments mark a significant milestone in our transition to a more connected and supportive secondary education system. Each of these leaders brings a strong track record of educational excellence and a passion for creating inclusive, high-performing school environments."
