This last seven days have been interesting for the schools. In addition to the normal hustle and bustle of our rather rigorous teaching schedule, this week saw training for the forthcoming student exams taking place on this Sunday at the end of the Summer Seminar.

 

Exams period always requires extra preparation as every single student needs to be personally checked to review their current level, ability and knowledge. While giving all students an excellent insight, this is not an insignificant task for the teachers and assistants. Although we are strict in limiting the number of students permitted to join the school, there are still a substantial number of students attending on a weekly basis. Indeed, we recently opened more classes in Dulwich as demand for the tuition continues to rise. Factor in holidays, illnesses, and variety of working schedules and you have a considerable spectrum of training intensities and frequencies, all of which need to be examined.

 

The structure of classes at this time are, to say the least, concentrated. Aside from the personal evaluations, the classes must revisit and consolidate all the techniques, theory and principles taught since the last grading. No student is permitted to enter for an examination unless they have the minimum knowledge and ability required (see earlier posts for in-depth writing about the student examinations). Not only do students have to show significant ‘polish’ on materials tested at previous grading levels, but have to be at the requisite standard for the next level. It is the teachers’ duty to ensure that only those students who are sufficiently prepared are entered for the exams. Of course, it is also the teachers’ responsibility to ensure that the students who are entered are trained to the appropriate level and do achieve the high standards demanded by the school. While the actual performance of the students under pressure on the day of the examination is, of course, in students’ hands, every exam is also examination of the ability of the teachers themselves...

 

Finally, aside from the examination preparations, the profile of the schools continues to rise. While the recent World Record has been a notable feature in the media, there has also been general recognition of the high standards of the school. This last week alone has seen the school featured in a number of disparate sources – from an interview by the Daily Star to being part of the BBC 3 production ‘Peckham Finishing School for Girls’ which was shown on television last Wednesday and Thursday night. (For those people who haven’t seen this, you should be able to view it online on the BBC I-Player for the next few days).

 

With the exciting Summer Seminar being held this week, the next 7 days have even more to look forward to...

 

Sifu