SMA Student Resources

No one automatically goes through to the next colour belt at SMA. We are one of the few schools to have a standardised format to fairly evaluate students based on the most important criteria for one day attaining the Black Belt standard.

They are:
1. Attendance and Commitment
2. Energy and Enthusiasm in Class
3. Technical Standard relevant to belt colour, age and ability level
4. Fitness Level and Ability to Keep up with Class
5. Dojo and Martial Arts Etiquette.

Master Richard has the experience and credentials to be his own judge of setting the standards for SMA. He is often asked to travel to other schools to help with their grading procedures and over the years he has had many high ranking instructors from Australia and overseas attend SMA to participate in and evaluate training and testing procedures. And they have been, without exception, impressed with the SMA curriculum and teaching methods, and with the quality of the SMA students.

One very interesting thing about the martial arts that we have observed over twenty five years of teaching is that the rate of progress is so incredibly individual. A particular student may show absolutely no talent or ability for a long time but still be inspired to train, and gain so much out of the experience that it impacts on the rest of their life. It seems so obvious that this student is never going to make it and then one day, through commitment and hard work, they just suddenly get it! This happens over and over again. It happens with adults as well as children.

We have highly skilled Black Belts in the school right now who you would never dream would be a black belt if you had seen them as a beginner, or even as a green or purple belt. That's why it is important never to give up on anyone (or on yourself) and why the criteria in its totality is so important.

We take our responsibility to make testing decisions based on these criteria very seriously.

We strive to live by the Principles of the Black Belt as teachers in the martial arts as well as in life and choose to deal with our students with as much respect, humility, and compassion as possible.

The belt presentation ceremonies are meant to be a celebration of success for those who have achieved another milestone in making it one step closer to their Black Belt. There is no need to compare with others, or to unnecessarily draw attention to those who have not made it for one reason or another.

Sometimes a student may be less technically proficient, but has shown the energy, enthusiasm, commitment and attitude that indicates that they are deserving of promotion.

According to Master Richard, “If it comes down to a choice, I would rather my teachers make ethical decisions with the big picture in mind than worry too much about appearances, just as I would like to think my students, and my own children, will learn to make good choices based on honesty and respect, with the confidence not to be overly concerned about or intimidated by the critics.”

If you are a parent, you may be truly blessed to have a wonderful child who gives 100%, who is well balanced and has a ton of ability in every way, supported by caring, loving, attentive parents. Unfortunately, there are many families who aren't as blessed in this respect, with uncoordinated children, children lacking in confidence, children with poor social skills... The list of frustrations goes on, and the reasons are many. Sometimes it's just inexplicable. We've seen them all. Some haven't made it. But others, helped along with compassion, patience, encouragement, and belief in their potential, have achieved great things in the end.