Our History
Founded in 1937, Saxonwold is renowned for having moulded the early lives of Some of South Africa's most outstanding personanlities. Personalities who left the playing fields of Saxonwold to succeed in the fields of commerce, media, sports, science and technology. Even though there were only 54 pupils in the first year of the school's existence, Saxonwold soon proved itself a leader. Ithad, apparently, the first Parent Teacher Association in Johannesburg. And the first swimming pool was reputed to be one of the first school pools to be built in the city. Also established within the school were the four houses that continue to this day: Alfred, Bede, Caedmon and Dunstan; the names of the four venerable scholars from the Anglo Saxon times.
The School Badge
	Saxonwold Primary School's badge, designed by K. Quigly in 1943, is an ensemble of the four symbols of our Sports Houses, namely Alfred (an English king who built the first English schools and navy, and united the Britons, Saxons and Danes); Bede (an orphan raised by an Abbot, who had a thirst for reading and earned the title, wisest man in Western Europe. It is said that the Abbot risked his life travelling around to get more books for Bede once he had read all those available); Caedmon, (a simple herdsman believed to be mentally deficient, who was visited by an angel and miraculously learnt to sing and write poetry); and Dunstan, (a monk and later the Archbishop of Canterbury in 959). The  motto, 'We Serve' below the insignia, is representative of these four great men who served mankind, as well as the ethos of the school. The staff serve the learners, and in doing so teach the learners to serve their community, their country and mankind. The motto was left by Mr F. Hand, principal of the school from 1938 to 1953. Today the learners at Saxonwold still aspire to that same motto, and the same ideals and teachings.

The Four Houses
	Alfred (847 - 899) Alfred The Great, the only son of the English King Ethelwulf, was studious as a child and grew to be a man of determination, intelligence and resolution, despite suffering from ill health for much of his life. He became a brave and clever King, and built the first English schools. "It is most needful for men to know", he is recorded as stating, "and to bring it to pass, if we have peace, that all the youth -may be devoted to learning." He also built the first English navy. When Alfred died more than a thousand years ago, Britons, Saxons and Danes united for the first time in bonds of friendship. No other monarch in England's long and varied history has been honoured with the accolade 'the Great'. Alfred once declared it his intention, "To live worthily as long as I live and after my life to leave to them that should come after, my memory in good works".
	Bede (673 - 735) Bede the Venerable, a Northumbrian, parentless at the age of seven, was raised in a monastery by a very holy man named Abbot Biscop. Bede, who was eager to learn, was soon able to read and write. The Abbot risked a perilous journey throughout Europe to find more books for Bede once he had read all those available. When he grew to manhood, it was said that he was the wisest man in Western Europe. Bede built the first school in his county at Jarrow, on the river Tyne. He worked as scholar and teacher; he records that "It has always been my delight to learn or to teach or to write".
	Caedmon (657 - 680) Caedmon the Poet, an old herdsman and servant to the Abbess St. Hilda, was thought to be dull and stupid as he seldom spoke. He was excluded from all feasts and merriment. On one such occasion he was visited by an angel who instructed him to sing. The words came to him mysteriously. On hearing him sing, St. Hilda and the learned men decided that a miracle had occurred. Caedmon's fame spread and his poetry and songs were on the lips of every man and woman. Caedmon is known as the earliest English poet.
	Dunstan (909 - 988) Saint Dunstan was born of a noble family in Somerset England. He was educated at the Abbey in Somerset, and went on to work at the Court of King Athelstan. He later lived with the Bishop of Winchester, to whom he was related. It was at this time that he decided to become a monk. Living in a tiny cell, he spent his time praying and making bells, organs and other church articles. In 943 he was made the Abbot of Glastonbury. The abbey flourished under his administration, with a substantial extension of the irrigation system on the surrounding Somerset Levels. He later became the Bishop of Worcester and of London. In 959 he became the Archbishop of Canterbury and was canonized in 1029.