Dr Anne Johnstone, Head of School

It’s my great honour to be writing to you in my first week as the new Head of School – Cranbrook’s ninth Head since 1918.  

And what an inspiring week it has been! I had the privilege of working with our talented and dedicated staff team on Monday, and together we engaged in an Appreciative Inquiry process exploring the application of research and strategies in the areas of educational neuroscience, together with the science of wellbeing, to help create the conditions for thriving for our treasured students, and to take our school community from strength to strength.   

Tuesday and Wednesday were particularly meaningful days, as we welcomed our new and returning students to Cranbrook. I have been so thrilled to meet many of the boys (and parents) as I have greeted them on the school gate both in the Senior School and Junior School, and of course around campus.  I have also relished the opportunity to attend some of my first school events. Last night, the Cutler House Student-Led Chapel service offered a great insight into the cherished House System here at Cranbrook. It showcased the boys’ collegiality, sense of connection and belonging as well as their myriad talents, as they shared Bible readings, presented reflections on their different year group experiences, made us laugh with some entertaining repartee and shared some tremendous musical performances.   

I was so pleased to introduce myself and share information about my background and educational philosophy to the Senior School students at an assembly on our first day of term, and I thoroughly enjoyed being interviewed by two of our senior prefects, Matt Downes, Second Prefect, and Felix Malcolm, Senior Prefect – Academic. Meanwhile, I really valued the opportunity to address our Junior School (Years 3 – 6) students before school this morning, too. 

My family and I are so grateful for the warm welcome we have received from the community and look forward to the many opportunities ahead to connect. In our early meetings and during tours of each of our magnificent campuses, students have demonstrated how engaging, thoughtful, articulate they are, while staff members have been remarkably generous in sharing their insights and support. 

I have a real sense of excitement and hope for the possibilities ahead for our great School. One of the questions I’ve been asked most frequently is what about my vision for our students. In essence, it is to help them be the very best they can be: to equip and empower them with strategies to help realise their potential, achieve their goals and thrive in all aspects of their lives. Importantly, it is to help them live lives of meaning and purpose. I am passionate about an integrated approach to learning and wellbeing, and to helping students identify and harness their strengths both within themselves and within each other, to develop resilience, overcome challenges and bounce forward from setbacks.  Of course, none of this can be accomplished in isolation and one of the great hallmarks of our School is our sense of community.   

At our Founders’ Day Service, we reflected on the ideals upon which our School was founded: a strong Christian ethos, a commitment to the “highest and best traditions in heart and spirit” and a school motto Esse Quam Videri that encourages authenticity and integrity: a willingness to be true to oneself, and in turn, celebrating and valuing others for who they are, while also letting our actions speak louder than words.  In 1920, our distinguished founding Head, Rev F.T. Perkins exhorted the first Cranbrookians to prioritise character – he talked about “usefulness” being measured scholastic effort, co-curricular endeavours and something he described as “tone” meaning school spirit, good manners, demeanour and overall character.  How very relevant this approach continues to be today!  

The opportunity to lead this esteemed school into its next chapter is one I value profoundly. I wholeheartedly thank Geoff Lovell, our President, and the School Council for entrusting me with this distinguished role at this very significant time in Cranbrook School’s history, including as we prepare to welcome girls from next year in Year 7 and Year 11. 

In the coming months, I am looking forward to attending many school events and meetings where I hope to meet you all.  

Wishing you and your families all the very best, and God’s blessings, as we advance into Term 3 – a particularly important term for our Year 12 students! I look forward to partnering with you as we seek to offer all our Cranbrook students the very best education. 

Dr Anne Johnstone
Head of School