Grading Archives - Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy https://www.waterlookungfu.com/category/special-events/grading/ Changing people's lives, one student at a time! Mon, 26 Jan 2026 20:00:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Grading Time! YOUTH Red Belt, Yellow Stripe, Yellow Belt & JUNIOR Red Sash – Sat. Apr 11, 2026, 2:00pm https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-red-belt-yellow-stripe-yellow-belt-junior-red-sash-sat-apr-11-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=grading-time-youth-red-belt-yellow-stripe-yellow-belt-junior-red-sash-sat-apr-11-2026 https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-red-belt-yellow-stripe-yellow-belt-junior-red-sash-sat-apr-11-2026/#respond Mon, 26 Jan 2026 19:49:43 +0000 https://www.waterlookungfu.com/?p=9966 Calling all not-yet-sparring and yellow belt Youth and Junior students!

The post <em>Grading Time!</em> YOUTH Red Belt, Yellow Stripe, Yellow Belt & JUNIOR Red Sash – Sat. Apr 11, 2026, 2:00pm appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

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Grading Time! YOUTH Red Belt, Yellow Stripe, Yellow Belt & JUNIOR Red Sash – Sat. Apr 11, 2026, 2:00pm

Saturday, April 11, 2026
2:00pm

Spectators are welcome!
End time is undetermined.

YOUTH Red Belt
YOUTH Yellow Stripe
YOUTH Yellow Belt
JUNIOR Red Sash

(All sparring Youth and Junior students,  except YOUTH Yellow Belts, please see the Sun. Apr 12, 2026 Youth-Junior Grading Schedule.)

Students will continue to be evaluated in class for eligibility to grade. If qualifying, a letter will be sent home with full details; please return your signed letter before grading day.

Need more guidance? See How to Understand your Kung-Fu Class Schedule, Program, and Rank >

Questions?

We're here to help.

Contact Us

Grading News & Articles

The post <em>Grading Time!</em> YOUTH Red Belt, Yellow Stripe, Yellow Belt & JUNIOR Red Sash – Sat. Apr 11, 2026, 2:00pm appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

]]> https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-red-belt-yellow-stripe-yellow-belt-junior-red-sash-sat-apr-11-2026/feed/ 0 Grading Time! YOUTH Orange Stripe and Up & JUNIOR Yellow Sash and Up – Sun. Apr 12, 2026, 12:00pm https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-orange-stripe-and-up-junior-yellow-sash-and-up-sun-apr-12-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=grading-time-youth-orange-stripe-and-up-junior-yellow-sash-and-up-sun-apr-12-2026 https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-orange-stripe-and-up-junior-yellow-sash-and-up-sun-apr-12-2026/#respond Mon, 26 Jan 2026 19:50:12 +0000 https://www.waterlookungfu.com/?p=9977 Calling all sparring (except yellow belt) Youth and Junior students!

The post <em>Grading Time!</em> YOUTH Orange Stripe and Up & JUNIOR Yellow Sash and Up – Sun. Apr 12, 2026, 12:00pm appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

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Grading Time! YOUTH Orange Stripe and Up & JUNIOR Yellow Sash and Up – Sun. Apr 12, 2026, 12:00pm

Sunday, April 12, 2026
12:00pm

Spectators are welcome!
End time is undetermined.

YOUTH Orange Stripe and Up
JUNIOR Yellow Sash and Up

(YOUTH Yellow Belts, and not-yet-sparring students, please see the Sat. Apr 11 Youth-Junior Grading Schedule.)

Students will continue to be evaluated in class for eligibility to grade. If qualifying, a letter will be sent home with full details; please return your signed letter before grading day.

Need more guidance? See How to Understand your Kung-Fu Class Schedule, Program, and Rank >

Questions?

We're here to help.

Contact Us

Grading News & Articles

The post <em>Grading Time!</em> YOUTH Orange Stripe and Up & JUNIOR Yellow Sash and Up – Sun. Apr 12, 2026, 12:00pm appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

]]> https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-orange-stripe-and-up-junior-yellow-sash-and-up-sun-apr-12-2026/feed/ 0 Grading Time! ADULT Novice II & Intermediate – Sat. Mar 7, 2026, 2:00pm https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-adult-novice-ii-intermediate-sat-mar-7-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=grading-time-adult-novice-ii-intermediate-sat-mar-7-2026 https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-adult-novice-ii-intermediate-sat-mar-7-2026/#respond Sun, 11 Jan 2026 16:20:44 +0000 https://www.waterlookungfu.com/?p=9958 Calling all Adult Novice II & Intermediate students!

The post <em>Grading Time!</em> ADULT Novice II & Intermediate – Sat. Mar 7, 2026, 2:00pm appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

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Grading Time! ADULT Novice II & Intermediate – Sat. Mar 7, 2026, 2:00pm

Saturday, March 7, 2026
2:00pm

Spectators are welcome!
End time is undetermined.

Adult Novice II – Intermediate
Red Sash
Yellow Sash
Orange Sash

This grading is also open to Adults who have just graduated from the Junior Program as your preliminary adult grading. 

Students will continue to be evaluated in class for eligibility to grade. If you plan to test, please speak with your instructors.

Need more guidance? See How to Understand your Kung-Fu Class Schedule, Program, and Rank >

Questions?

We're here to help.

Contact Us

Adult Student's Corner

Fu-For-You Articles & Important News

“Be Curious, Not Judgemental” ~ Walt Whitman

The Instructors at the Academy will have ways to help teach the various techniques we do, often in a variety of ways to support different learning styles. Be curious and absorb the information, ask the questions, listen to the answers, and most importantly TRY.

read more

Grading Essays and the Homemade Form: Why They Matter

Forms and techniques usually end up as front of mind when it comes to grading requirements. There are, however, some additional requirements that I feel should be brought into the light and aired out for everyone to think about: essays and the infamous home-made form.

read more

The post <em>Grading Time!</em> ADULT Novice II & Intermediate – Sat. Mar 7, 2026, 2:00pm appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

]]> https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-adult-novice-ii-intermediate-sat-mar-7-2026/feed/ 0 Grading Time! YOUTH & JUNIOR Students – Sat. Jan 24, 2026, 2:00pm https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-junior-students-sat-jan-24-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=grading-time-youth-junior-students-sat-jan-24-2026 https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-junior-students-sat-jan-24-2026/#respond Sun, 11 Jan 2026 16:06:01 +0000 https://www.waterlookungfu.com/?p=9943 Calling all Youth and Junior students!

The post <em>Grading Time!</em> YOUTH & JUNIOR Students – Sat. Jan 24, 2026, 2:00pm appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

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Grading Time! YOUTH & JUNIOR Students – Sat. Jan 24, 2026, 2:00pm

Saturday, January 24, 2026
2:00pm

Spectators are welcome!
End time is undetermined.

All Ranks:
YOUTH Red Belt and Up
JUNIOR Red Sash and Up

Need more guidance? See How to Understand your Kung-Fu Class Schedule, Program, and Rank >

Students will continue to be evaluated in class for eligibility to grade. If qualifying, a letter will be sent home with full details; please return your signed letter before grading day.

Next Youth & Junior Gradings:

Questions?

We're here to help.

Contact Us

Grading News & Articles

The post <em>Grading Time!</em> YOUTH & JUNIOR Students – Sat. Jan 24, 2026, 2:00pm appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

]]> https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-junior-students-sat-jan-24-2026/feed/ 0 Grading Time! YOUTH Orange Stripe and Up & JUNIOR Yellow Sash and Up – Sun. Nov 23, 2025, 12:00pm https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-orange-stripe-and-up-junior-yellow-sash-and-up-sun-nov-23-2025/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=grading-time-youth-orange-stripe-and-up-junior-yellow-sash-and-up-sun-nov-23-2025 https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-orange-stripe-and-up-junior-yellow-sash-and-up-sun-nov-23-2025/#respond Sun, 14 Sep 2025 14:30:51 +0000 https://www.waterlookungfu.com/?p=9642 Calling all sparring (except yellow belt) Youth and Junior students!

The post <em>Grading Time!</em> YOUTH Orange Stripe and Up & JUNIOR Yellow Sash and Up – Sun. Nov 23, 2025, 12:00pm appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

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Grading Time! YOUTH Orange Stripe and Up & JUNIOR Yellow Sash and Up – Sun. Nov 23, 2025, 12:00pm

Sunday, November 23, 2025
12:00pm

Spectators are welcome!
End time is undetermined.

YOUTH Orange Stripe and Up
JUNIOR Yellow Sash and Up

(YOUTH Yellow Belts, and not-yet-sparring students, please see the Sat. Nov 22 Youth-Junior Grading Schedule.)

Need more guidance? Find out How to Understand your Student’s Kung-Fu Class Schedule, Program, and Rank.

Students will continue to be evaluated in class for eligibility to grade. If qualifying, a letter will be sent home with full details; please return your signed letter before grading day.

Questions?

We're here to help.

Contact Us

Grading News & Articles

The post <em>Grading Time!</em> YOUTH Orange Stripe and Up & JUNIOR Yellow Sash and Up – Sun. Nov 23, 2025, 12:00pm appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

]]> https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-orange-stripe-and-up-junior-yellow-sash-and-up-sun-nov-23-2025/feed/ 0 Grading Time! YOUTH Red Belt, Yellow Stripe, Yellow Belt & JUNIOR Red Sash – Sat. Nov 22, 2025, 2:00pm https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-red-belt-yellow-stripe-yellow-belt-junior-red-sash-sat-nov-22-2025/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=grading-time-youth-red-belt-yellow-stripe-yellow-belt-junior-red-sash-sat-nov-22-2025 https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-red-belt-yellow-stripe-yellow-belt-junior-red-sash-sat-nov-22-2025/#respond Sun, 14 Sep 2025 14:23:12 +0000 https://www.waterlookungfu.com/?p=9636 Calling all not-yet-sparring and yellow belt Youth and Junior students!

The post <em>Grading Time!</em> YOUTH Red Belt, Yellow Stripe, Yellow Belt & JUNIOR Red Sash – Sat. Nov 22, 2025, 2:00pm appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

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Grading Time! YOUTH Red Belt, Yellow Stripe, Yellow Belt & JUNIOR Red Sash – Sat. Nov 22, 2025, 2:00pm

Saturday, November 22, 2025
2:00pm

Spectators are welcome!
End time is undetermined.

YOUTH Red Belt YOUTH Yellow Stripe YOUTH Yellow Belt JUNIOR Red Sash

(All sparring Youth and Junior students,  except YOUTH Yellow Belts, please see the Sun. Nov 23, 2025 Youth-Junior Grading Schedule.)

Need more guidance? See How to Understand your Kung-Fu Class Schedule, Program, and Rank >

Students will continue to be evaluated in class for eligibility to grade. If qualifying, a letter will be sent home with full details; please return your signed letter before grading day.

Questions?

We're here to help.

Contact Us

Grading News & Articles

The post <em>Grading Time!</em> YOUTH Red Belt, Yellow Stripe, Yellow Belt & JUNIOR Red Sash – Sat. Nov 22, 2025, 2:00pm appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

]]> https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-red-belt-yellow-stripe-yellow-belt-junior-red-sash-sat-nov-22-2025/feed/ 0 Grading Time! YOUTH & JUNIOR Students – Sat. Sep 27, 2025, 2:00pm https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-junior-students-sat-sep-27-2025/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=grading-time-youth-junior-students-sat-sep-27-2025 https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-junior-students-sat-sep-27-2025/#respond Sun, 14 Sep 2025 14:41:51 +0000 https://www.waterlookungfu.com/?p=9651 Calling all Youth and Junior students!

The post <em>Grading Time!</em> YOUTH & JUNIOR Students – Sat. Sep 27, 2025, 2:00pm appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

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Grading Time! YOUTH & JUNIOR Students – Sat. Sep 27, 2025, 2:00pm

Saturday, September 27, 2025
2:00pm

Spectators are welcome!
End time is undetermined.

All Ranks:
YOUTH Red Belt and Up
JUNIOR Red Sash and Up

Need more guidance? Find out How to Understand your Student’s Kung-Fu Class Schedule, Program, and Rank.

Students will continue to be evaluated in class for eligibility to grade. If qualifying, a letter will be sent home with full details; please return your signed letter before grading day.

Questions?

We're here to help.

Contact Us

Grading News & Articles

The post <em>Grading Time!</em> YOUTH & JUNIOR Students – Sat. Sep 27, 2025, 2:00pm appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

]]> https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-junior-students-sat-sep-27-2025/feed/ 0 Grading Essays and the Homemade Form: Why They Matter https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-essays-and-the-homemade-form-why-they-matter/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=grading-essays-and-the-homemade-form-why-they-matter https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-essays-and-the-homemade-form-why-they-matter/#respond Thu, 11 Sep 2025 17:11:58 +0000 https://www.waterlookungfu.com/?p=9578 Forms and techniques usually end up as front of mind when it comes to grading requirements. There are, however, some additional requirements that I feel should be brought into the light and aired out for everyone to think about: essays and the infamous home-made form.

The post Grading Essays and the Homemade Form: Why They Matter appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

]]> Adult Student’s Corner by Sifu D’Arcy Fu For You Fall 2025 When students think about our curriculum, the most common things that come to mind are those “hard-skills” that we teach in every class. Picture the large variety of techniques that we teach at every rank, the forms that you are required to learn, and the strategies around sparring. These are things that we focus on heavily in our classes, and so they usually end up as front of mind when it comes to grading requirements. There are, however, some additional requirements that I feel should be brought into the light and aired out for everyone to think about: essays and the infamous home-made form. So, why do we have our students write and submit an essay as part of some rank progressions? I think there are two answers to this, the first being: it forces you to think about your own Kung Fu journey. As you write about why you chose Kung Fu, this hopefully bleeds into why you are still pursuing the Kung Fu path. At a very early stage of the journey, you get to reflect on what brought you to Waterloo Kung Fu in the first place, which often helps determine where you want to take your training. Secondly, personal essays give the instructors better insight into who you are as a person. It should be no secret that every instructor on your grading panel reads through the submitted essays on the day of the grading. This helps us understand our students, to help guide and shape the journey each of you is on. In short, it makes us better instructors. At some point in your progression, you are also required to create and perform a form. This process should be driven exclusively by you, with no input from an instructor (or even your peers). Crafting your own form is an incredible way to express who you are as a martial artist. You’ll lean into your own preferred style, and showcase what you love to do. Again, this is a great way for the instructors to see who you are as a student. Finally, this process shows your understanding of the techniques and philosophies you have been learning throughout the process. Figuring out how to combine a myriad of techniques that flow smoothly and make a cohesive pattern is an important skill for martial artists. When you truly understand the things you have been taught from the curriculum, putting together a form on your own becomes a true joy. In reality, the “other stuff” that shows up throughout the curriculum is designed to broaden the understanding that exists between you and Kung Fu. These requirements also deepen the connection between you and your instructors, which in the end strengthens our ability to teach you the skills we strive to impart through our classes. “Learning is all about connections, and through our connections with unique people, we are able to gain a true understanding of the world around us.” ~ Peter Senge

The post Grading Essays and the Homemade Form: Why They Matter appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

]]> https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-essays-and-the-homemade-form-why-they-matter/feed/ 0 Grading Time! YOUTH & JUNIOR Students – Sat. Nov 23, 2024, 1:00pm https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-junior-students-sat-nov-23-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=grading-time-youth-junior-students-sat-nov-23-2024 https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-junior-students-sat-nov-23-2024/#respond Wed, 16 Oct 2024 13:33:20 +0000 https://www.waterlookungfu.com/?p=8775 Calling all Youth and Junior students!

The post <em>Grading Time!</em> YOUTH & JUNIOR Students – Sat. Nov 23, 2024, 1:00pm appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

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Grading Time! YOUTH & JUNIOR Students – Sat. Nov 23, 2024, 1:00pm

Saturday, November 23, 2024
1:00pm

Spectators are welcome!
End time is undetermined.

All Ranks:
YOUTH Red Belt and Up
JUNIOR Red Sash and Up

Need more guidance? Find out How to Understand your Student’s Kung-Fu Class Schedule, Program, and Rank.

Students will continue to be evaluated in class for eligibility to grade. If qualifying, a letter will be sent home with full details; please return your signed letter before grading day.

Questions?

We're here to help.

Contact Us

Grading News & Articles

The post <em>Grading Time!</em> YOUTH & JUNIOR Students – Sat. Nov 23, 2024, 1:00pm appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

]]> https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-youth-junior-students-sat-nov-23-2024/feed/ 0 Grading Time! ADULT Novice II & Intermediate – Sat. Nov 2, 2024, 2:00pm https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-adult-novice-ii-intermediate-sat-nov-2-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=grading-time-adult-novice-ii-intermediate-sat-nov-2-2024 https://www.waterlookungfu.com/grading-time-adult-novice-ii-intermediate-sat-nov-2-2024/#respond Thu, 22 Aug 2024 17:07:14 +0000 https://www.waterlookungfu.com/?p=8566 Calling all Adult Novice II & Intermediate students!

The post <em>Grading Time!</em> ADULT Novice II & Intermediate – Sat. Nov 2, 2024, 2:00pm appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

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Grading Time! ADULT Novice II & Intermediate – Sat. Nov 2, 2024, 2:00pm

Saturday, November 2, 2024
2:00pm

Spectators are welcome!
End time is undetermined.

Adult Novice II – Intermediate
Red Sash
Yellow Sash
Orange Sash
Green Sash

This grading is also open to Adults who have just graduated from the Junior Program as your preliminary adult grading. 

Need more guidance? See How to Understand your Kung-Fu Class Schedule, Program, and Rank >

Students will continue to be evaluated in class for eligibility to grade. If you plan to test, please speak with your instructors.

Questions?

We're here to help.

Contact Us

Adult Student's Corner

Fu-For-You Articles & Important News

“Be Curious, Not Judgemental” ~ Walt Whitman

The Instructors at the Academy will have ways to help teach the various techniques we do, often in a variety of ways to support different learning styles. Be curious and absorb the information, ask the questions, listen to the answers, and most importantly TRY.

read more

Grading Essays and the Homemade Form: Why They Matter

Forms and techniques usually end up as front of mind when it comes to grading requirements. There are, however, some additional requirements that I feel should be brought into the light and aired out for everyone to think about: essays and the infamous home-made form.

read more

The post <em>Grading Time!</em> ADULT Novice II & Intermediate – Sat. Nov 2, 2024, 2:00pm appeared first on Waterloo Kung-Fu Academy.

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