Anne Johnstone | Chair – Positive Education Schools Association, Deputy Chair – International Positive Education Network and Principal
Ravenswood School for Girls

Anne 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 the Chair and a founding Board Member of the national Positive Education in Schools Association (PESA)and the Vice-Chair of the International Positive Education Network (IPEN). This year, Anne is also Chair of the Leadership Centre Council for AISNSW Association of Independent Schools of NSW.

Last year, 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. Early in her career, she received a Teachers' Guild of NSW Award for Excellence in Teaching. In addition to this, Anne was honoured with an Excellence Award for Principal Of The Year in the Australian Education Awards.

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

In 2019, Anne 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 and Communication Association Award for Excellence.

Anne is currently undertaking a PhD in Education through the University of Melbourne and holds a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the ivy league 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. The focus of Anne’s current doctoral research is on helping young people to develop a mindset that promotes wellbeing.

Before her appointment as Principal of Ravenswood School for Girls, Anne was Principal of Seymour College in Adelaide. Prior to this, she served as Deputy Headmistress, Head of Senior School and Head of Junior School, and an English and History teacher at St Catherine’s School in Sydney.

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, Anne is passionate about helping young people fulfil their potential and flourish in all aspects of their lives.