On 22 January 2026, IFS celebrated an exciting milestone with the inauguration of Singapore’s first zero-energy kindergarten and campus extension. What began in 2023 with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, became a reality in September 2025 and a moment of pride for the entire IFS community.
This SGD 80 million project was officially inaugurated in the presence of His Excellency Stephen Marchisio, Ambassador of France to Singapore, alongside speeches by Ludovic Mathé, President of the Executive Committee, and David Binan, Principal of the International French School.
The evening opened on a joyful note with a performance by the IFS choir. After singing the school anthem, the students performed Home, a moment that truly captured the spirit of belonging that defines our school
In his address, Ludovic Mathé reminded the audience that the new campus is about much more than new buildings:
” This evening is far more than the opening of new spaces. It marks the realisation of a vision shaped by our shared belief in the future of IFS, a promise to our families, our students, and to the generations who will walk these halls long after us.”
David Binan reflected on another memorable milestone from May 2025, when IFS had the honour of welcoming the President of the French Republic, Mr Emmanuel Macron, and the First Lady. They were the first distinguished guests to discover the new spaces, still under construction but already full of educational promise.
He also reaffirmed what lies at the heart of IFS: a school open to all nationalities, offering the educational, pedagogical, and material resources needed to help every student thrive. IFS continues to open pathways to higher education in France, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States, and beyond.
“This visit was a strong symbol of recognition and a powerful sign of the place our school holds at the crossroads of French education, international dialogue, and the future.”
The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of the commemorative plaque, followed by a cocktail reception and guided tours of the new kindergarten, giving guests the chance to experience the spaces firsthand.
At its core, this project reflects IFS’s enduring mission: to nurture adaptable, confident, and open-minded learners, ready to succeed in any education system, anywhere in the world.
THIS IS OUR STRENGTH, OUR RESPONSIBILITY, AND OUR PROMISE.
BEHIND THE DESIGN: A ZERO-ENERGY KINDERGARTEN
SO, HOW DID WE DO IT?
The kindergarten was designed with sustainability in mind from the very beginning. Its orientation takes advantage of natural airflow, the sun’s path, and the surrounding environment, creating comfortable learning spaces indoors and out.
Classrooms are designed to maximise natural daylight while reducing heat gain, and the three-storey kindergarten blends naturally into the surrounding neighbourhood. One of the highlights is the rooftop learning garden, where students can explore educational farming, greenery, and solar panels, turning sustainability into a hands-on learning experience.
Moments FROM THE EVENT
