Cranbrook, an elite all-boys school in Sydney’s east, has appointed its first female principal starting next year, following a string of serious allegations pointing to a toxic culture and inappropriate behaviour from staff.
In March this year, Nicholas Sampson resigned from his role as principal of Cranbrook when an ABC Four Corners investigation revealed he had kept a male staff member employed, who had allegedly engaged in inappropriate behaviour with his former students.
Since then, the elite private college, which is set to become co-education in 2026, has undergone a review into how Cranbrook handles child safety concerns, in an attempt to overhaul the toxic culture at the school.
The latest appointment of Anne Johnstone as the school’s next principal – and first woman to hold the role at the 100-year-old college – appears to be part of the effort to stamp out past behvaiour.
Geoff Lovell, the council chair at the school, sent a letter to parents informing them of Johnstone’s appointment. According to Lovell, there was an “extensive global search” to find Sampson’s replacement, and Johnstone was the best fit for the position.
“Throughout the competitive recruitment process, the council was impressed by Anne’s energy, warmth, intellect, wisdom, deep educational experience and by her values,” Lovell wrote to parents.
“The council is confident that, in appointing Anne as our new head of school, we have secured a leader who can fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the school community and guide Cranbrook to become the very best co-educational school it can be.
Johnstone, a teacher trained in English and history, will be leaving her position as principal of Ravenswood, a school on the upper north shore which she has headed up since 2016. Prior to Ravenswood, she was the principal of Seymour College in Adelaide, the deputy headmistress at Anglican private girls’ school St Catherine’s and the head of the junior school at St Catherine’s.
“Her commitment to educational excellence, including co-curricular and the wellbeing of students, is aligned closely with Cranbrook’s vision and mission,” Lovell wrote.
Johnstone said she felt “honoured to lead a school with a vast and significant history of educating boys”.
“I am also excited about the great potential and opportunities ahead as we welcome girls to Cranbrook from 2026,” she said.
‘Investigative journalism matters’
On March 4 this year, an ABC Four Corners investigation revealed a “toxic” culture and inappropriate treatment of female teachers and staff members at Cranbrook.
Led by journalist Louise Milligan, the investigation found former female staff members at Cranbrook in Sydney’s eastern suburbs have been blackmailed, harassed, wolf-whistled and more by male students. Some complaints by staff were also dismissed by male colleagues and superiors.
Days after the investigation aired, former principal Nicholas Sampson resigned following revelations that he allegedly kept a teacher employed who he knew had sent multiple graphic emails to a former female student.
The teacher also reportedly boasted about looking up girls’ skirts in class and describing sexual fantasies about his students.
Upon the news of Anne Johnstone’s appointment as the school’s next principal, Louise Milligan from the ABC Four Corners posted on LinkedIn.
“Following the departure of former Cranbrook headmaster, Nicholas Sampson, sparked by our Four Corners investigation earlier this year, the private Sydney boys’ school has appointed its first female principal in its history,” Milligan wrote.
“The Four Corners investigation sparked state and federal inquiries and an internal inquiry by the school itself which had 76 reports to it and apologised for its past failings.
“Investigative journalism matters. Support Four Corners.”
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