One of Australia’s leading schools has reached an agreement to acquire Kormilda College, providing certainty to the school community.

A Heads of Agreement is due to be signed today between Haileybury and the Kormilda College Board to acquire the Kormilda College site and begin operations from 1 January 2018.

Haileybury is an elite college with well-established international relationships. It has four campuses in Victoria and one in Beijing, China.

Education Minister Eva Lawler said this was the best outcome possible and was supported by both the Northern Territory and Commonwealth Governments.

“Children are at the heart of our decision making process, the key for the Territory Labor Government was ensuring that students’ education wasn’t affected,” Ms Lawler said.

“We believe that this is a fantastic result that will provide certainty for the Kormilda College community and a bright future for its students.

“The Northern Territory Government and Commonwealth Government have been working with Kormilda College to secure the school's long term future and I commend the Commonwealth Government for playing a key role in this process.

“Haileybury brings with it a history of exceptional academic outcomes and its presence in Darwin will continue to lift the standard of education delivered to students in the Northern Territory.’’

A community meeting will be held at 6pm tonight at the school to discuss the short and long-term options for the school community.

“As we have said previously, parents, students and staff would be advised of arrangements for 2018 by the end of this school semester. A meeting will be held tonight to provide this advice,” Ms Lawler said.

“We want to ensure that the school community are provided with accurate information and an opportunity to ask questions of the school.”

The agreement is subject to a due diligence period that will end on 31 August 2017.

The school will continue to operate as Kormilda College for the remainder of the school year under the management of Haileybury.

It is anticipated that the college will commence official operations as Haileybury Rendall School at the start of 2018, with Haileybury Senior Vice Principal Craig Glass to take up the position of principal.

Minister Lawler said Haileybury Rendall School would have a strong focus on specialised Aboriginal education and international student programs.

“Aboriginal boarding has operated on the site for almost 30 years. This will remain a key feature under the new operations with the Haileybury Kormilda Boarding for Aboriginal students,’’ she said.

“This is an opportunity for all our schools to work together to increase and promote education in the Northern Territory and showcase all we have to offer.’’

The Department of Education will continue to provide support to Kormilda College and Haileybury during the transition process to ensure minimal disruption to students, families and staff.

Media Contact: Jake Hauritz – 0478 128 268