Huge change coming to elite private boys' school Cranbrook after it announced plans to go co-ed

An elite private boys' school has appointed its first female principal since it was founded more than a century ago.

Current Ravenswood School for Girls principal Anne Johnstone will become the new head of Cranbrook private school in Sydney 's eastern suburbs, which will become fully co-ed by 2029.

The historic announcement to students and staff was made on Thursday, saying Ms Johnstone will move into the top job from the start of term 3 in 2025, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The head of Ravenswood will replace Cranbrook's former principal Nicholas Sampson, who resigned in March from his $1 million-plus a year role after allegations of workplace bullying and historical abuse at the elite school.

Cranbrook council chair Geoff Lovell wrote in a letter to parents that the appointment follows a 'competitive recruitment process' which involved an extensive global search conducted by recruitment firm Korn Ferry.

'The council was impressed by Anne's energy, warmth, intellect, wisdom, deep educational experience and by her values,' he wrote.

'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.'

Ms Johnstone was an English and history teacher before she scored the top job at Ravenswood on Sydney's upper north shore in 2016.

She had previously been head of Adelaide's Seymour College and deputy headmistress at Anglican private girls' school St Catherine's.

Ms Johntone was also the head of St Catherine's junior school.

Cranbrook has been in the spotlight since the ABC's Four Corners exposed bullying claims on March 4, as well as a toxic culture.

Among the allegations aired was that a female teacher was the victim of an attempted blackmail attempt by a male student, who demanded she send him nude photos.

Other allegations came to light days later, claiming Mr Sampson knew a teacher had sent sexually explicit messages to a former student - but had failed to tell the council.

The Four Corners investigation sparked the resignation of Mr Sampson, who had been the head of Cranbrook for ten years.

The school made a confidential settlement with the former principal in June, saying the reason for him leaving 'may have caused confusion'.

The $46,500-a-year school lists late billionaire Kerry Packer and his son James among its alumi

The school announced in 2022 it would start accepting girls in years 7 and 11 from 2026 and would be fully co-ed by 2029.