We are delighted to welcome Mr Peter Fremaux to the Canadian International School as our new Secondary Principal. With more than 20 years of experience leading international schools across the globe, Peter brings a wealth of knowledge, a passion for education - and even a few unexpected stories - to his new role.

Welcome to CIS, Peter! Tell us a little about yourself.

Thank you! It’s a pleasure to join the CIS community and I look forward to meeting everyone in the new term.

I’m originally from the UK and have spent most of my career working in International Schools around the world from China to Dubai and beyond! I love helping students grow and thrive, and I’m passionate about creating schools where learning is exciting, teachers are empowered, and everyone feels part of something bigger. At my core, I believe in the power of education to transform lives—and the importance of building strong, trusting relationships across a school community to make that happen.

As Principal of Middle and High School at Beijing International Bilingual Academy, I implemented IB-aligned teaching policies that boosted student enrolment, outcomes, and university admissions, including Ivy League schools. I also improved parent-school communication and expanded student-focused opportunities.

Previously, as Head of Secondary at Greenfield International School in Dubai, I led the school to win the UAE IB School of the Year 2020–2021 and recognition from the Dubai Schools Inspection Service for rapid improvement.

What’s been your most memorable experience working in education?

There have been lots of big moments, but for me, it’s often the smaller, everyday ones that stand out.

Walking through a school and hearing students laughing, asking great questions, or seeing a teacher bring a lesson to life—those are the moments that make me smile. Whether it's a classroom alive with learning or students laughing, reading, or coming together at lunch, it fills me with a sense of contentment and pride that few other experiences can match.

Why did you choose CIS?

CIS has a fantastic reputation, not just for academic excellence, but also for its strong sense of community. I’d heard great things before even applying, and once I started speaking with the team here, it was clear the school’s values align closely with my own.

I believe in creating schools that are inclusive, student-centered, and always evolving. CIS ticks all those boxes, and I can’t wait to contribute to the Canadian International School’s ongoing legacy and success story.

Do you think there’s a link between effective leadership and effective teaching?

Absolutely. While exceptional teachers can inspire without strong leadership, leadership without talented, empowered educators is meaningless. The most important thing in any school is what happens in the classroom.

Leadership, at its best, amplifies the impact of teachers. It provides the tools, systems, training, and support that allow colleagues to shine. Creating an environment where wellbeing is protected, success is celebrated and people feel valued.

Effective leadership ensures coherence, connecting the dots across teaching, curriculum, assessment and student support. Schools are complex systems and leaders help bring unity to that complexity to ensure students have a seamless, consistent and high-quality learning experience.

What is the secret ingredient to a good secondary school?

It’s all about the people! You can have the best systems in the world, but it’s the relationships and shared commitment that really make a school shine. When every individual feels a shared sense of responsibility for achieving excellence, that’s when magic happens.

Schools thrive when everyone is working towards the same goal and when every individual feels they are a part of something bigger than themselves.

If someone could invent a "secret sauce" to creating this sense of shared ownership, education would indeed be much simpler. But the reality is, greatness in a school comes from the people and their dedication to each other and the community.

Finally Peter, tell us something about yourself that's not on your resume!

Where do I start? I used to be a competitive middle-distance runner. I broke school records for the under-16 category back in the day (please don’t ask me to race now!).

I have also represented the UK in football… well, sort of! While on a volunteer trip in Peru, my team played a friendly game against a local village team. Let’s just say the headline in the next day’s paper read: “Acobamba Town thrash the UK at football”. A rather humbling experience, to say the least!

Outside of school, I have completed solo parachute jumps, traveled to 58 countries, scuba-dived, and even volunteered at panda and orangutan rescue centres. These days however, you'll usually find me unwinding by the pool with a good book whenever I have some free time.

Thank you for your time and sharing with us, Peter! We are thrilled to have you onboard at CIS and look forward to the leadership and inspirational spirit you will bring to our secondary community.