September 2025 Newsletter - The Academy of CKD

October Newsletter

Your child can be successful

Martial arts will teach your child the skills needed to be successful at just about anything.

This is because the same process that your child will follow to earn a black belt can be applied to any area of his or her life.

The process is:

Work out what must be done to achieve success

Make a plan. Break it down into bite sized chunks or steps

Do it! Work tirelessly on those steps in your plan.

And of course, as a parent, your job is to motivate and encourage your child, and to help them when they feel like giving up.

Here’s another interesting thing…. being successful does not require any form of good luck as proven in this story:

When a bunch of very successful business owners were asked what their secret to success was by a well-known business expert, Dr. Ivan Misner, all of them came back with things like vision, goals, having a system, persistence, and passion.

In other words, the things needed for the 3 step process above.

A group of university business students were also asked the same question and they came back with the same list except theirs had the word LUCK.

The take-away is that in the real world you don’t need luck. It just gets down to having a plan, the motivation, and willingness to work at it.

So, are you thinking of enrolling your child in martial arts?

This is what we will do to help them to become a Black Belt.

Supply a plan – We supply a step-by-step curriculum to get from White Belt to Black Belt.

Provide motivation – Training together with others, earning new belt ranks to unluck new curriculum and also progression of skills, fun classes, and a comfortable airconditioned studio.

There is one catch. Your child must work at it by consistently turning up week in and week out to train.

This will teach them the power of commitment and consistency which I am sure you will agree is a great thing to have.

The habits we practice on the mat are the habits we need for life.

September 2025 Newsletter - The Academy of CKD

Bully Defence Tip - Distance prevents surprise attacks

One of the bully’s weapons is a surprise attack.  

Bullies play on the fact that most shy kids don’t like being rude.   

They know that shy kids will feel strange about obviously avoiding a bully when they are walking towards them.  

And they know that shy kids probably won’t tell the bully to get out of their face when they come too close.  

Parents, it is a good idea to teach your kids to be constantly mindful of others who are in their personal space, and not to let known bullies get too close to them.  

Distance is your child’s weapon against a surprise attack. 

And awareness prevents surprise attacks from happening.  

Tiny Tigers Martial Arts classes

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👊 Build self-discipline and focus through structured classes.  

🎯 Improve listening skills and learn to follow instructions.  

💪 Boost confidence with fun, age-appropriate martial arts activities.  

🤝 Make new friends and improve social interactions. 

Set your child up for success and watch them grow!  

Claim a FREE Trial spot today 👉 https://bit.ly/4drIFJ0 

September 2025 Newsletter - The Academy of CKD

What Does Being a Black Belt Really Mean?

September 2025 Newsletter - The Academy of CKD

I recently came across a blog where someone from another martial art style shared their experience of earning a black belt. They had to fight 10 people (and became very injured in the process) to achieve it. their view was that any martial art that doesn’t include such an ordeal is unworthy or in their words, just a “McDojo” where belts are handed out for money.

I’ll be honest, reading that annoyed me. Not because of their experience (that’s their journey, and I respect it) but because of the narrow mindset that doesn’t see the depth and meaning behind earning a black belt in other styles. It’s a mindset that misses the bigger picture.

So, what does being a black belt really mean? Is it about fighting multiple opponents? Is it about proving yourself in some dramatic, physical trial? Or is it something deeper…something that is beyond the mat and the dojo?

Here’s what I believe:

A Black Belt is NOT About Fighting

Let’s get this out of the way first. Being a black belt isn’t about how many people you can fight or how “tough” you are. It’s not about proving your worth through physical dominance. And it’s certainly not about comparing yourself to others or judging other martial arts styles. That kind of thinking misses the essence of what martial arts is all about.

A Black Belt is About Mastery of the Basics

At its core, earning a black belt means you’ve mastered the fundamentals. You’ve put in the time, the effort, and the discipline to perfect the foundational techniques of your art. But it’s not just about technical skills. It’s about mastering the basics of life, too. Resilience. Confidence. Self-discipline. Courage. These are the qualities that define a black belt, not how many people you can fight, but how you show up in the face of challenges, both on and off the mat.

A Black Belt is About Resilience

The journey to black belt is not an easy one. It’s filled with setbacks, failures, and moments of doubt. But that’s the point. It’s through those struggles that you develop resilience, the ability to keep going, to keep showing up, even when it’s hard. That’s what makes a black belt. Not the belt itself, but the person you become in the process of earning it.

A Black Belt is About Confidence

True confidence doesn’t come from proving yourself to others. It comes from knowing you’ve done the work. It comes from the quiet assurance that you’ve earned your place, not because someone handed it to you, but because you’ve put in the hours, the sweat, and the effort. That’s the kind of confidence a black belt represents.

A Black Belt is About Humility

Here’s the thing: earning a black belt is not the end of the journey. It’s the beginning. It’s a recognition that you’ve mastered the basics, yes, but it’s also a reminder that there’s so much more to learn. A true black belt approaches their training—and their life—with humility, always seeking to grow, to improve, and to serve others.

Respecting All Journeys

Now, about the idea of “McDojos.” Unfortunately, it’s easy to judge others when you don’t understand their journey … when you haven’t walked in their shoes . But the truth is, every martial art has its own way of developing its students. Some dojos focus on physical trials, like fighting multiple opponents. Others focus on technical precision, personal growth, or community building. None of these approaches are better or worse than the other. They’re just different. What matters is the impact they have on the individual. Are they helping people grow? Are they teaching resilience, confidence, and discipline? If the answer is yes, then they’re doing something right.

What Does It Mean to YOU?

At the end of the day, being a black belt is deeply personal. It’s not about what others think or how they define it. It’s about what it means to you. For me, being a black belt means striving to be the best version of myself, not just as a martial artist, but as a person. It means showing up with integrity, humility, and a commitment to growth. It means honouring the struggle and embracing the journey.

So, what does being a black belt mean to you? Take a moment to reflect on your own martial art journey so far. And remember, the belt around your waist is just a symbol. The real black belt is the person you’ve become, and the person you’re still becoming.

Coming Up This Month –
Save These Dates:

  • Black Belt Club Wednesdays: October 1st, October 15th, and October 29th, 2025

  • School Closed: October 4th and October 5th, 2025

  • King’s Birthday: October 6th, 2025

  • Start of Term 4 & Stripe Testing Week Start: October 7th, 2025

  • End of T-shirt Training (School Holidays): October 3rd, 2025

  • Belt Exam: October 19th, 2025

Birthdays This Month:

Don’t forget to wish your classmates a Happy Birthday!

  • Jude Allen-Ankins – 01/10

  • Kylie Munday – 03/10

  • Olivia M – 09/10

  • Soraya Pascoe – 09/10

  • Jaiden Toombes – 10/10

  • Dresden Mcleod – 17/10

  • Vanessa Mingueyam – 18/10

  • Christina Santarossa – 18/10

  • Jaxson Heames – 21/10

  • Michael Cochrane – 22/10

  • Ana Cristina Salas Dulanto – 24/10

  • Jackson Black – 25/10

  • Archer O’Donnell – 27/10

Let’s Hear It From: Zac K.

Thank you so much for your review, Zac!

September 2025 Newsletter - The Academy of CKD

Instructor Highlight

September 2025 Newsletter - The Academy of CKD

Easy Fried Rice

Need a fast, filling, and flavour-packed dinner? Try this Easy Fried Rice recipe!

September 2025 Newsletter - The Academy of CKD

Parting Thought: “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think” Christopher Robin in Winnie the Poo.

September 2025 Newsletter - The Academy of CKD

There will be times when training feels overwhelming—when the techniques feel too hard, the progress too slow, or life’s challenges weigh you down.

But martial arts as a lifestyle teaches us to dig deeper and discover the strength, courage, and wisdom that’s already within us.

Every belt earned, every class attended, and every time you show up—especially when it’s hard—is proof that you’re growing in ways you might not even realise.

Trust your training, believe in yourself, and remember: you have more power within you than you give yourself credit for.

© Copyright 2020 The Academy of CKD