NZKKA

A black belt is a white belt who never gave up
Slow to learn, slow to forget
The person who knows "how" will always be the student, but the person who knows "why" will continue to be the instructor
To hear is to doubt, to see is to be deceived, but to feel is to beleive
Train knowing that the right thoughts and the right efforts inevitably bring about the right results.
There are no pure styles of karate. Purity comes only when pure knuckles meet pure flesh
In every offense there is a defence, and in every defence there is an offense
Guts are the anaesthesia that deaden the pain of fear
Sophistication is no more that simplicity compounded
Fear no man, but respect all
Train hard, train regularly, train intelligently and make no excuses
He who hesitates, meditates in a horizontal position
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
Someone who aims at nothing is sure to hit it.

About » About the Junior Syllabus

Kids Kenpo

The junior Kenpo programme was introduced in early 2000 after many requests from parents and colleagues. The junior syllabus is much shortened from the adult syllabus in terms of self defence techniques but the same sets and forms are taught (but at a more basic level).

A major focus in the junior classes is confidence, respect and discipline. However, neither of these can be forced onto students. As students advance through the ranks more and more is expected of them. The great benefit of having separate classes based on rank is that students go from being head of one class to the bottom of a new higher class once they graduate in rank. This helps instil humility as they go from being the most knowledgeable in the class to the least. Discipline is then required to knuckle down and learn the new requirements so that over time they can reach the head of this new class. The process then starts over. Gradings are held at the end of each school term for those ready. As students progress through the coloured belts their confidence grows.

Given that our junior students range in age from 5 to 16yrs, we also split each class into: Tigers (5-8yrs), Dragons (9-12yrs) and Teens (13-16yrs). Clearly the learning capability of Teens/Dragons is more advanced than Tigers, so even within the same belt level, the syllabus may be slightly altered to cater for a smaller physical size and less developed mental capacity. At all times physical safety is paramount, and respect for their fellow students is expected.

Sparring (combative fighting) is also taught to juniors but this is fully supervised and protection equipment is used. For those with a competitive bent we hold an annual Tournament in November of each year, along with in class competitions each term.

The school has around 150 junior members currently training and we have a number of junior black belts. In fact, two have gone on to obtain adult black belts.