PRE-GRADING DATES
JUNIORS & SENIORS
For the purpose of time, efficiency and accuracy – as of March 2021, Pre-Grading Sessions will only be held on the dates and times outlined below. Students will no longer be pre-graded individually or in small groups.
IMPORTANT: Students that miss any of the Pre-Grading sessions listed, will not be eligible to attend the official grading.
For your convenience, we will be running one court dedicated to pre-grading sessions, lead by the Head Instructors and the other court will be open and available for students to have free-time training with their classmates, accessing all equipment for the purpose of preparing for the official grading examination.
Pre-grading sessions are only available at Kogarah branch; we ask Kingsgrove members to attend Kogarah branch on one of the dates below in order to attend their pre-grading session and to gain confidence in preparing for the official grading.
Pre-Grading | All Belt Levels | Session 1
Friday 12th March 2021, 5.30-6.30pm @ Kogarah Dojang
Examined by Mr Arthur and Master George
Pre-Grading | All Belt Levels | Session 2
Friday 12th March 2021, 6.30-7.30pm @ Kogarah Dojang
Examined by Mr Arthur and Master George
Pre-Grading | All Belt Levels | Session 3
Monday 15th March 2021, 5.30-6.30pm @ Kogarah Dojang
Examined by Mr Arthur and Master George
Pre-Grading | All Belt Levels | Session 4
Monday 15th March 2021, 6.30-7.30pm @ Kogarah Dojang
Examined by Mr Arthur and Master George
Pre-Grading | All Belt Levels | Session 5
Wednesday 17th March 2021, 5.30-6.30pm @ Kogarah Dojang
Examined by Mr Arthur and Master George
Pre-Grading | All Belt Levels | Session 6
Wednesday 17th March 2021, 6.30-7.30pm @ Kogarah Dojang
Examined by Mr Arthur and Master George
IMPORTANT: Students that miss any of the Pre-Grading sessions listed, will not be eligible to attend the official grading.
Students are asked to ONLY attend pre-grading if they know their grading specific content, ie. Poomsae, Self-Defence, etc.
» Click here to access the SGMAA Members Portal
Pre-grading is our way of ensuring all students receive a fair chance at passing their official grading we hold at the end of each term and this belt promotion screening process provides confidence to the members when deciding to attend the official grading.
The pre-grading is usually held the first week of the 3rd month of that quarter (term) and is literally a mock-grading where students get to experience the format, emotions and pressure of the head instructor judging panel examining their proficiency and understanding of what is required for the student to be promoted to their next belt level.
The format is similar to that of the official grading, however it is more casual and the process allows for the examiners to point out areas of improvement, giving the student time to rectify and improve ahead of the official grading.
Pre-grading is conducted during regular classes and students that complete their pre-grading examination whether they pass or not, will be directed to continue self-training with fellow students.
Students that do not have a grasp of the syllabus and content related to their next belt level will be required to put in more training and wait for the next grading at the discretion and decision of the head instructors.
Failing to pass the pre-grading event is often viewed in a negative light, however in reality it is in fact a positive event, as it provides the student more time to gain extra training, develop their focus and approach their grading with less pressure and more experience when they feel ready. This benefits the student with a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing they achieved a goal that only 3 months ago they could not. This is what Martial Arts is all about, striving hard to achieve goals no matter what obstacles are in the way.
Students that pass their pre-grading examination will be issued with an Official Grading Registration form and this will provide them with all the instructions they need to register online and prepare for their big day.
Students that do not pass the pre-grading examination will be provided with an 'Improvement Checklist' similar to a report card and it will detail the areas of where the student is displaying strengths and also where they are lacking and improvement is needed. It will also provide a recommendation on when the Head Instructor feels the student will be eligible to attend a grading to advance to their next belt level.
The examination process at St.George Martial Arts Academy is very stringent due to the fact we are an internationally registered (WT) Taekwondo Dojang with Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Headquarters and we hold a very high standard of excellence at the academy.
Kukkiwon is the peak international body for (WT) Taekwondo, governing all aspects of (WT) Taekwondo. Students that gain their Black Belt Dan 1 rank and above with SGMAA are invited to register with the Kukkiwon to ensure they too are registered internationally as Black Belts and recognised for their hard work and dedication worldwide.
Some tips to help students make it through the pre-grading process:
-
Drink plenty of water
-
Nerves are normal
-
Do your best
-
Don't be too hard on yourself
-
Failing or Passing – it's all about learning
-
Practise, practise, practise
-
Visualise your goals and they will become reality
-
Eat healthy, clean 'real food' for mental clarity
-
Keep a positive, focussed and determined mindset
-
Have fun and enjoy the journey!
We wish all students the best of luck in their pre-grading performance and remember...
A BLACK BELT IS A WHITE BELT THAT NEVER QUIT!
– SGMAA Head Instructor Team