14 November 2024

I write to inform you that after nearly a decade of exceptional leadership and service as Principal, Mrs Anne Johnstone will be leaving Ravenswood at the end of Term 2 next year to take up the role of Head of Cranbrook School.

It is with much gratitude, sadness and also a sense of pride that I bring you this news on behalf of the School Council.

Anne has made a stunning contribution to Ravenswood as a school, as well as to its students, staff, Alumni and the broader school community.

Over nearly ten years, Anne has established a strong and cohesive Senior Leadership Team, which will ensure consistency and stability as we move forward.

Together, they have grown enrolments with an historically high demand for places; achieved some of the best academic results in our history; expanded our facilities including the development of the Senior Learning Centre, Residential College and Wellbeing Path; and expanded our educational offerings.  They have also grown and held a very strong staff cohort while presiding over the introduction of our Prep school for students aged three and four years, expanding boarding to 7-12, and bringing Alumni closer to the heart of the school.

Anne’s unswerving commitment to helping students fulfil their potential and flourish has seen the embedding of positive education and wellbeing across the entire school and curriculum.  This has equipped students and staff alike with evidence-based strategies to help build their own wellbeing and that of others, and to navigate challenges with grit, resilience and a semper ad meliora mindset – including throughout the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Anne’s outstanding leadership has developed a powerful culture of learning and wellbeing, connection and belonging that is world class – as evidenced by us being awarded the 5 Star Innovative School Award (2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023), the Excellence Award for Best Student Wellbeing Program (2021, 2022, 2024), the Best Use of Technology Award this year, and the Excellence Award for Boarding School of the Year (2022 and 2024).

Our school and community have never been more united, more positive and better prepared for the future.

As Ravenswood performs at its strongest, we accept we are exceptionally well positioned to enter a new era – but this does not reduce our gratitude and the sadness that our time with Anne is coming to an end.

I also write with a touch of pride – both for Anne and for Ravenswood.

You will have heard Anne talk about having enough grit to lean into a challenge – she has found her next challenge and has the conviction to follow that passion.  As a Council, we admire this attitude and the role modelling it provides to our girls – especially as she will be becoming the first female leader of Cranbrook in its 106-year history.

We will have ample time to thank and wish Anne and her family well in 2025 – although I am delighted that she and Andrew will remain closely connected to our community as parents.

Ahead of 2025, the Council will commence a process to recruit our next leader to continue the excellent and exciting work that Anne, the Council, and the Senior Leadership Team are implementing.

Finally, I would like to congratulate Cranbrook School on its superb choice of leader – the love, intellect, compassion, wisdom and expertise that Anne has afforded Ravenswood will stand Cranbrook and its community in great stead for the future.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Peter Roach

Chair, Ravenswood School for Girls Council