Grading

As most of you know we had our final grading of the year yesterday. Sensei Bob Poynton 7th Dan, was present to take us all through some brain teasing training exercises before conducting the actual grading exam. Everyone did fantastically well and I was very proud of all our students and of the teaching quality our instructors had been able to produce in order to assist those grading in their success.I believe this grading saw the most number of students grading (102) and an amazing 12 students achieved a double grade from white belt straight to red belt! Half of these students came from Henley - an outstanding achievement by one Academy! Well done Sensei Jazz.

We saw some of our juniors after months/years of training manage to pass their first grade and others demonstrate their consistency in their training and attitude by achieving another full grade.

I was highly impressed by everyone’s behaviour throughout and feel all our students are a credit to us and their families.

May I just thank Sensei Virginia here for doing such a wonderful job of organising, a Christmas Party, Prize Giving and Grading all in one weekend. I don’t know many people who have such a talent and it made the whole weekend enjoyable, thank you.

I’d also like to say congratulations to our prize winners this year; students who have always worked hard, strived to improve and are a pleasure to teach. Each year we present trophies to a few chosen students, usually at our summer event but as you know things got moved along a bit this time.

Those students who won Excellence in Karate are: Eleanor Gale, Sam Coxon, Jacob Allington, Tom Randle, Aidan Brzakalik, Jasper Laidlaw and Joe Nicholas.

Those students who won our Most Promising Karateka are: Caleb Pell, Jayne D’Arcy-Ryan, Cameron Butcher, Joanne McCabe, Issie Bonventre, Toby Ritson and Jack Mason.

A final thanks to all the instructors at CDMA for their hard work, support and effort over the past 12 months, I think it has been one of the best.

Merry Christmas!

Sensei Ben Richardson