The Australian International School (AIS) in Singapore has announced the appointment of Steve Lupton as its new Head of School, marking a new chapter for one of Australia’s most established and influential international education institutions in Asia.
AIS, an IB World School educating children from infant care through to Year 12, occupies a distinctive position within Australia’s international education footprint. For more than three decades, the school has acted as both an educational home for Australian families abroad and a global showcase for Australian curriculum pathways, teaching practices and values. In doing so, it has helped strengthen Australia’s education brand in a region where international schooling plays an increasingly strategic role in student mobility and global engagement.
Mr Lupton brings extensive international leadership experience to the role. Most recently, he served for almost nine years at Repton Abu Dhabi, where the school achieved Outstanding ratings from both British Schools Overseas inspectors and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge. His earlier career includes more than eight years at Sydney Grammar School, grounding his leadership approach in the Australian education system before extending it across global contexts.
A graduate of the Australian Institute of Sport, Mr Lupton began his career as a Physical Education teacher in Australia and the United Kingdom. He has frequently cited the influence of high-performance sport on his educational philosophy, particularly the importance of discipline, resilience, teamwork and continuous improvement. As Head of School at AIS, his focus will centre on learning quality, relationships and purpose, with an emphasis on ensuring every student is supported, challenged and known within the school community.
The appointment comes at a time when Australian international education is increasingly shaped by offshore delivery, transnational pathways and brand recognition beyond Australia’s borders. AIS plays a significant role in this ecosystem. The school offers a rare combination of the Australian Curriculum, the NSW Higher School Certificate, Cambridge IGCSE and the International Baccalaureate, providing students with multiple globally recognised pathways into higher education, including Australian universities .
For the Australian international education sector, institutions such as AIS act as critical connectors between schooling and tertiary education. They help familiarise international families with Australian qualifications well before students reach university age, strengthening long-term engagement with Australia as a study destination. AIS graduates regularly progress to leading universities in Australia and internationally, reinforcing the credibility and portability of Australian academic pathways in a competitive global market.
Beyond curriculum, AIS is also seen as a carrier of Australian educational values. The school emphasises wellbeing, co-curricular participation and community engagement, reflecting approaches that have become increasingly central to Australia’s international education narrative. Its diverse student body, representing more than 50 nationalities, mirrors the multicultural character that Australia itself promotes in its education diplomacy across the Indo-Pacific.
Mr Lupton has indicated that his priorities at AIS will include further investment in teaching quality, professional development and learning beyond the classroom, alongside strengthening a culture where students, staff and families feel connected and valued. He succeeds Karrie Dietz, who served as Head of School for three years.
As Australia continues to navigate policy reform, enrolment caps and shifting global demand, the role of offshore Australian schools is likely to attract greater attention. AIS’s leadership transition highlights how these institutions not only educate students overseas but also contribute to the long-term strength, reputation and reach of Australian international education.
