Anne Johnstone | Chair International Positive Education Network (IPEN) and Principal Ravenswood School for Girls
Ravenswood School for Girls

Anne Johnstone is Principal of Ravenswood School For Girls in Sydney and Global Chair of the International Positive Education Network (IPEN), the peak global body of wellbeing science-in-education practitioners. She is a founding Board Member and former Chair of the Positive Education Schools Association (PESA) and has also been appointed as Chair of the Excellence in Leadership and Teaching Council for the Association of Independent Schools of NSW (AISNSW). 
Anne is an internationally recognised education leader renowned for her pioneering work in the field of Positive Education and the wellbeing of young people. She began this work in 2004 as a recipient of a Churchill Fellowship during which she explored strategies to foster resilience in learning while based at Cambridge University in England. 

Anne holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (with Honours) degree, a Graduate Diploma in Education, and a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania, completed under the supervision of Professor Martin Seligman. Anne is currently completing a PhD in education through the University of Melbourne where the focus of her doctoral research in the field of positive psychology is on helping young people to develop a mindset that promotes wellbeing.  

The Educator announced Anne as The Most Influential Educator 2023, an award that celebrates inspirational leaders who have had a transformational impact on their students and school communities. Anne was honoured with Excellence Awards for Principal Of The Year in the Australian Education Awards (2022, 2024) and was recognised on The Educator Hot List (2022, 2023) for her exceptional leadership and contribution as Principal, including in designing and implementing innovative educational experiences.  

In 2022 the Teachers' Guild of NSW awarded Anne the Phyllis Evans Medal, a prize that acknowledges a 'distinguished educator of great standing’, and in 2019 Anne was the only female to be recognised internationally for her pioneering initiative and influence in the field of Positive Education at the Positive Education Global Summit in Philadelphia.

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.