Anne Griffith-Jones

Anne Laugharne Phillips Griffith-Jones OBE (15 April 1891 – 28 November 1973) was a British educationalist who founded Singapore's Tanglin Preparatory School, which is now known as the Tanglin Trust School.

Early years Born in London, England, to spend a three-month holiday with her brother, Oswald Phillips Griffith-Jones. After her vacation, she chose to stay in Singapore to dedicate her life to the education of expatriate children, founding the Tanglin Day School which later became the Tanglin Preparatory School, where she became widely known as "Miss Griff". When the school first opened in March 1925, it functioned from a disused supper shed but soon began to grow rapidly. The school served the needs of children up to the age of eight. At the time, many British expatriates living in Singapore had to send their children to Britain to attend boarding school at an early age. This meant being separated from their children for a lengthy period of time. Family portrait c. 1912. Miss Griffith-Jones with her parents and elder sister Nettie. "Miss Griff" is standing second from left. Photo credit: Tanglin Trust School. Griffith-Jones saw the need to provide a British-style education in Singapore so that parents could postpone boarding school until their children were of an older age.

She (Griffith-Jones) was largely responsible for European children being able to remain with their parents in Malaya several years longer than was possible in pre-war days.|sstyle=text-align:center|source=Straits Budget, 9 March 1939 At the end of 1938, the number of pupils at the school grew to 68.

At both schools, there was much emphasis on the British Empire. In preparing the boys for English Preparatory Schools, she would teach them football, taking the forward line across the playing field and showing them how to pass the ball. Similarly at cricket, she demonstrated the "straight bat" and footwork at the crease.

Second World War Tanglin Boarding School, Cameron Highlands: Griffith-Jones (back row, fifth from left) with her staff and pupils outside the school's main building. Photo credit: Tanglin Trust School.

The two schools continued to grow until the outbreak of the Second World War (1942–1945).

A second closure occurred during the Malayan Emergency (1948–1960). The school had to be placed under full-time armed guard after the Malayan National Liberation Army surrounded the school. In 1950, it was forced to close by the Federal Government for security reasons. Thereafter, the property was sold to the British War Office.

Retirement "Miss Griff" in riding kit at the Cameron Highlands. (c. 1950s). In 1958, Griffith-Jones retired to the Cameron Highlands and the British European Association, now the British Association of Singapore, took over the private company, 'Tanglin School Limited'. Miss Griffith-Jones (centre) receiving her retirement gifts from Dr Charles Wilson and Laurette Shearman, two of Tanglin Trust School's first intake of pupils, in 1957. Photo credit: Tanglin Trust School.

While residing at the resort, Griffith-Jones became actively involved in sport and social work. For many years, she served as Secretary of the Cameron Highlands Church (which is presently known as All Souls' Church).

In mid-1958, she offered to donate a site adjoining the former Slim School grounds for the erection of a school chapel. However, after consultation with the District Officer, it was established that the State Government would not alienate any further land to the British Forces based at the retreat. Subsequently, she transferred the land to the Anglican Diocese on the understanding that a small church would be built on it.

The construction of the church commenced in 1958. The Nissen hut structure was completed in September that same year. The name 'All Souls' Church' was given at the church's consecration on Thursday, 30 April 1959.