Good afternoon.
This forthcoming week is an important one; the classes will aim to cover a comprehensive revision of all the material required for each of the grade. This is the culmination of the teaching that has taken place throughout the year, and is your chance to catch up on anything that you have missed. Aside from this, the intention is to make sure that each student is well prepared for the forthcoming, and final, grading of the year which take place at the end of the Chi-Sau seminar (27th – 30h November), The classes will be covering, among others, the theories, Chinese names, principles and etiquette required for the exams.
I believe that it is particularly important that all students should be looking to grade, more so than normal. The exams this time will be testing what the students have learnt, and how they have developed, over the whole year. It is now that you can see how well the objectives that you set at the beginning of the year have been achieved. It also gives you a better idea of what you should be aiming for next year, and what you need to work on when you come back after the Christmas break. The months and years go by quickly, so if you want to make the most of your training you need to push yourself; as with most things in life you only get out what you put in. The more you test yourself, the more you understand about yourself…
Each student will be spoken to individually about their weak point, how to improve them and what grade they should be going for. The teachers will be assessing your level in the classes, so it is in your interest to attend as many lessons as possible. As for every class, make sure you bring pen and paper.
I have written at length about the purpose of grading previously (see earlier posts for more details), so I won’t elaborate any more on this topic. However, there are a few other points that I would like to mention to help the students in their preparation. Students would do well to remember that each grade requires you to demonstrate an improved ability and ‘polish’ on the previous techniques, as well as the newer material for their grade.
Advanced students take note; the standard expected of you is very high. Simply being outstanding in techniques, fighting skills and ability is not enough. You are the descendants of the ancient Shaolin monks who died to protect the art, so your character must reflect this. If other people cannot look up to you, and see the true art through your actions, then you are not worthy of a high level. Hard as it may be to judge, this is the key criteria and overriding factor. A grade only means something if you represent the ideal behind it…
And finally to conclude; just because success in the exams is hard to achieve it does not mean that you should not try – indeed the very opposite it is true. Because it is hard you learn more from the experience, and if you are successful you have truly earned something worthwhile.
As each point must be checked in the exams, please allow for a late finish. There is a brochure with all the details of grading on it, if you have not received it please speak to one of the teachers.
Sifu