The Principal of Ravenswood School for Girls since 2016, Anne Johnstone is an internationally recognised educational leader renowned for her pioneering work in the field of Positive Education and the wellbeing of young people.

Anne is a founding Board Member of the national Positive Education in Schools Association (PESA) and the Chair of the International Positive Education Network (IPEN). She has also been appointed to the role of Chair of the Excellence in Leadership and Teaching Council for the Association of Independent Schools of NSW (AISNSW).

 

In 2024, Anne was announced the winner of Australian School Principal of the Year at the 2024 Australian Education Awards which recognizes the best educators in the country. She was also the winner of the School Principal of the Year (Non-Government) award. In 2023 and 2024, The Educator honored Anne on The Most Influential Educator List that celebrates inspirational leaders who have had a transformational impact on their students and school communities. In 2022, the Teachers' Guild of NSW awarded Anne the 2022 Phyllis Evans Medal, a prize that acknowledges a 'distinguished educator of great standing.' It is the second time that Anne has been recognised by the Guild as she received a Teachers' Guild of NSW Award for Excellence in Teaching early in her career. Anne was honoured with an Excellence Award for Principal Of The Year in the Australian Education Awards (2022) and was recognised on The Educator Hot List (2022, 2023) for her entrepreneurial impact in designing and implementing high-quality, innovative educational experiences.

 

In 2019, Anne was the only woman among five international educational leaders acknowledged for her pioneering work and leadership at the Positive Education Global Summit in Philadelphia. In 2018, she received the prestigious Australian Speech and Communication Association Award for Excellence.

 

Anne was also the recipient of a Churchill Fellowship during which she explored strategies to foster resilience in learning while based at Cambridge University in England.

 

Anne is currently undertaking a PhD in Education through the University of Melbourne and holds a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from an ivy league university, the University of Pennsylvania. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (with Honours), as well as a Graduate Diploma of Education.

An internationally sought-after speaker and presenter, Anne is passionate about helping young people fulfil their potential and flourish in all aspects of their lives.