As IFS welcomes Samuel Jourdan as our new Principal, effective September 2026, we sat down with him to learn more about his journey, his approach to education, and what he’s looking forward to as he joins our community.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in Brittany, France, but my passion for international education started early. During my formative teenage years, I lived in Morocco and spent a year in an English-speaking school in Canada. Seeing fulfilled, engaged teenagers in that environment profoundly shaped my outlook on learning.
Those early experiences taught me that the strengths of different educational systems can be combined to offer both academic rigour and personal well-being. My connection to international education is deeply personal as well as professional—I come from a family of educators within the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE) network, and I am a father of two children who were educated within the system.
What was it about IFS that stood out to you?
Over the course of my career, I’ve served as an English and FLE teacher, a Vice Principal in Shanghai, and most recently as Principal of the French School of Cape Town in South Africa. Every school and context has taught me something new about leadership and community.
IFS has an outstanding reputation as a benchmark international educational institution in the Asia-Pacific region. What really stood out to me was the school’s dedication to plurilingual excellence and cultural richness. I saw a vibrant community with a strong foundation and a clear opportunity to help every student thrive in an environment built on care and ambition.
What is your long-term vision for IFS?
“My vision for IFS is a school where everyone has the opportunity to fully achieve their potential in the plurilingual pathway of their choice—and where every minute of our time, every ounce of energy, and every dollar are dedicated to student accomplishment in an environment of well-being.“
Rapid-Fire with Mr Jourdan
- IFS in three words?
Plurilingualism · Incubator · Harmony - Favourite spot on campus?
Where all our collective efforts truly materialise: The secondary campus courtyard. - Morning Coffee or Afternoon Tea?
Coffee, from morning to night. - What are you reading right now?
Classical literature during holiday periods; currently, institutional documents to take the full measure of IFS! - Best advice a student has ever given you?
“They haven’t dared just yet!”
Please join us in giving Samuel a very warm IFS welcome. We look forward to the next chapter of our journey together under his leadership!
