WINNER: Australian School Principal of the Year

Anne Johnstone

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Anne Johnstone is the Global Chair of the International Positive Education Network (IPEN) and a former Chair and founding board member of the Positive Education Schools Association (PESA). She is also Chair of the Excellence in Leadership and Teaching Council for the Association of Independent Schools of NSW (AISNSW). She was the recipient of a Churchill Fellowship, during which she explored strategies to foster resilience in learning while based at Cambridge University in England.

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Principal

In 2024, Anne was named Australian School Principal of the Year at the Australian Education Awards 2024, and also School Principal of the Year in the Non-government category. In 2019, she was the only woman among five international educational leaders acknowledged for her “pioneering work, contribution and internationally recognised leadership in the field of positive education” at the Positive Education Global Summit in Philadelphia. In 2018, she received the prestigious Australian Speech Communication Association Award for Excellence. Anne is currently completing a PhD in Education through the University of Melbourne and holds a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from an Ivy League University (University of Pennsylvania), a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (with honours), as well as a Graduate Diploma of Education. She completed the thesis for her master’s degree under the supervision of the founder of Positive Psychology, Professor Martin Seligman. Anne’s research was recognised by the University of Pennsylvania as a Distinguished Capstone project. The focus of her current doctoral research is on helping young people develop a mindset that promotes wellbeing. Prior to her appointment as Principal of Ravenswood School for Girls, Anne was Principal of Seymour College in Adelaide. Earlier in her career, she served at St Catherine’s School in Sydney as Deputy Headmistress, Head of Senior School and Head of Junior School, and as an English and History teacher. Before pursuing her passion for teaching, Anne practised as a lawyer for four years, specialising in commercial litigation. An internationally sought-after speaker and presenter, she is passionate about helping young people fulfil their potential and flourish in all aspects of their lives.