Saint Martin’s School

Did the walls of Saint Martin’s School whisper secrets of jazz and revolution? Here, at 4 East Road, in The Hill, Johannesburg, stands Saint Martin’s School. It’s more than bricks and mortar. It’s a living echo of South Africa’s tumultuous past. Saint Martin’s wasn’t always Saint Martin’s. Its story begins in 1908 with St. Agnes School, a place for training domestic helpers. Then, in 1911, St. Peter’s Priory and College emerged, a boarding high school drawing young men from across the nation. This institution, known as the “Black Eton,” nurtured brilliant minds like Oliver Tambo, Fikile Bam, and a young Hugh Masekela. Can you imagine the vibrant energy that pulsed through these halls? It was here that Father Trevor Huddleston, a priest at St. Peter’s, gifted Masekela his first trumpet, a gift procured from none other than Louis Armstrong. The Bantu Education Act, a cruel instrument of apartheid, forced St. Peter’s to close in 1956. But the spirit of education couldn’t be silenced. The Anglican Church rekindled the flame in 1958, giving birth to Saint Martin’s School. Originally a boys’ school, Saint Martin’s became the Anglican Diocesan School for southern Johannesburg. In 1978, it opened its doors to girls, embracing co-education. The preparatory school, nestled on a picturesque campus overlooking Moffat Park, opened in 1971. In a significant move, the high school joined the preparatory school at East Road in December 2022, uniting both under one roof. Saint Martin’s boasts a rich legacy in academics, sports, and culture. Its motto, “Non Recuso Laborem” – “I do not shirk work,” reflects its commitment to excellence. From its humble beginnings to its current standing, Saint Martin’s School remains a beacon of learning and a testament to the enduring power of education. It stands as a symbol of resilience, transformation, and hope, whispering stories of the past while shaping the future.