Dr Anne Johnstone, Head of School
BA LLB (Hons), MAPP (UPenn), MACE, CF, PhD (UMelb)
Dr Anne Johnstone is the ninth Head of School at Cranbrook, bringing visionary leadership, a deep commitment to academic excellence, and a passion for student wellbeing and co-curricular life. Her vision to empower young people to fulfil their potential and flourish in all aspects of their lives aligns with Cranbrook’s esteemed Values and progressive transition to coeducation from 2026.
A former English and History teacher, Dr Johnstone served as Principal of Ravenswood School for Girls in Sydney before joining Cranbrook. Under her leadership, Ravenswood implemented innovative education and wellbeing programmes, achieving record enrolment demand and recognition for outstanding educational accomplishments.
Prior to Ravenswood, Anne served in distinguished senior leadership positions including as Principal of Seymour College in Adelaide and Deputy Headmistress, Head of Senior School and Head of Junior School at St Catherine’s School in Sydney.
Throughout her career and tenure in these positions, Anne has consistently demonstrated innovative leadership through the implementation of forward-thinking academic, wellbeing, and co-curricular programs that enhance student outcomes and broaden educational opportunities.
Dr Johnstone’s commitment to academic excellence is reflected in her impressive qualifications. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education from the University of Melbourne, focusing on youth wellbeing mindsets, and a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, completed under Professor Martin Seligman, founder of Positive Psychology. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts/Laws (with Honours) from Macquarie University, as well as a Graduate Diploma of Education from the University of New England.
A pioneer in Positive Education, Anne is the Global Chair of the International Positive Education Network (IPEN), a founding Director of the Positive Education Schools Association (PESA), and chairs the Excellence in Leadership and Teaching Council for the Association of Independent Schools NSW. She is also Associate Chair of the IPPA World Congress 2025.
Her leadership and contributions to education have been recognised through numerous prestigious awards. Most recently, Anne was honoured in the 2025 The Educator’s Most Influential Educators list, marking her third consecutive year receiving the acclaimed award which celebrates Australia’s most powerful educators transforming academic communities. She has also been acknowledged on The Educator’s Hot List in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Anne was named Australian School Principal of the Year and Australian School Principal of the Year (Non-Government) at the 2024 Australian Education Awards in recognition of her innovative leadership and exemplary work in the field of education. She also received the notable Phyllis Evans Medal from the Teachers’ Guild of NSW in 2022 for her “distinguished standing” as an educator and was the recipient of a Churchill Fellowship to research resilience in learning at Cambridge University. Other honours include the Teachers’ Guild of NSW Award for Excellence in Teaching, an Australian Speech and Communication Association Award for Excellence, and received commendation the Positive Education Global Summit for her pioneering leadership.
Anne’s international profile as a speaker and thought leader reflects her unwavering passion for empowering young people to thrive. Through her work, she continues to shape national and global conversations about education, wellbeing, and leadership, and is considered as one of Australia’s most influential voices in contemporary educational practice.