Graduation - August 2025
- North Manchester FMAC
- Aug 13
- 6 min read
Many of you will have been to Graduation before & so you know the drill. However, some of you won't have been or can't remember 'cos it's been a while since you last attended (shame on you!😉), so here's all the info you will need...
Graduations are held in the Sports Hall of Bury Grammar School - the address is Tenterden Street, Bury BL9 0HN.
How to get to the August 2025 Graduation?
The entrance to the Sports Hall at Bury Grammar School is off Tenterden Street. We are on the Boys School site, in the Sports Hall. The entrance to the site is on the sharp corner midway down Tenterden Street.
There is parking on site and there is also limited parking (check restrictions) in the streets around the School. There is also plenty of paid parking at the Castle Leisure Centre, just across Jubilee Way.
For those who would prefer to use public transport (certainly the easy option for many of the Prestwich Students!), the buses and trams terminate at Bury Interchange where it is just a short 5 minute walk to the Graduation venue.
When is it?
The normal Graduation is on Sunday 17th August 2025. Make sure that you attend the time for your CURRENT Belt colour / Grade.
You can find advance notice of all of the 2025 Graduation time/dates in the Centres, on Facebook, Instagram and on the website - as a reminder you can find them here.
If you have never been to a Graduation before, check out what some of the students say about it here.
There are alternate Graduations for those unable to attend on the 17th due to religious, cultural, work or holiday reasons. If you are attending any of these alternate Graduations, you need to have requested one when you put your form in & you will have been informed of the details directly by text - otherwise, you need to attend Bury Grammar School on the Sunday. If you haven't submitted a Graduation form, the next grading opportunity will be in October.
Make sure you turn up for your agreed Graduation; otherwise your belt & certificate won't be there for you. Anyone who has a last minute disaster/illness should contact their Instructor for advice/guidance.
Tigers (9.00am)
Upon arrival, please register with the Instructor in the Reception area. Be sure to provide your name so we can ensure all certificates are ready for the Graduation ceremony—no need for extra tears! There's no need to arrive too early; 8:45 am is ample time for preparation and allows the hall to be set up. Arriving earlier won't grant you entry!
Many Instructors will be present to assist our youngest students in recalling and demonstrating the syllabus, so there's no reason to worry—especially for the parents! Several Instructors will be at the front for demonstrations, with others offering support from the sidelines. All your Tiger needs to do is follow the instructions and perform as they do in class!
For the Tigers, Graduation is just like another big class. They simply need to arrive in their uniforms, replicate what they've been doing in class, and they'll be all set! It's the parents who tend to be more nervous than the Tigers.
At Graduation, Master Parkinson may ask the following questions:
What is the name of our martial art? (Tang Soo Do)
Where do we practice our martial art? (In the Do Jang)
What is our uniform called? (Do Bok)
What is the new belt that you will collect called? (Dee)
What is the Korean for Side Kick? (Yup Podo Cha Gi)
What is the Korean for Middle Block? (Choong Dan Mahk Kee)
What is the Korean for Side Stance? (Sa Ka Rip Jaseh)
Plus all the things we have been discussing as part of our ‘Stranger Danger’ theme.
Be there 10 minutes early & wait in the waiting area to be called through just before 9.00am.
Just like in class, they will be demonstrating:
Middle Block
Side Kick
Jump Side Kick
Back Fist & Punch
Side Stance
Two onto two rear self defence (you will need to get involved, parents)
and a Combination of Side Kick, Back Fist & Punch
Make sure to take plenty of photos and share your amazing Tiger experiences on the Tiger Facebook pages. Be sure to capture a picture with your favorite Instructor (Master H Nelson is currently leading the competition for the most photos with their Tigers, so lend them a hand!).
Middleton - https://www.facebook.com/FMACMiddletonTigers
Prestwich - https://www.facebook.com/FMACPrestwichTigers
White & Yellow Belts (10.00am)
This group is for all striped belts who have advanced from Tigers, along with all current White and Yellow Belts. You'll also notice many familiar Instructor faces at the front. Be sure to arrive 10 minutes early and wait in the designated area until you're called in as a group.
If you've never attended a Graduation, check out what some students have to say about it here.
As a reminder, your syllabus is:
Middle Block (Ahneso Pahkuro Mahk Kee)
Front Kick (Ahp Podo Cha Gi)
Both Chop Kicks (Ahneso Pahkuro Cha Gi & Pahkeso Ahnuro Cha Gi)
Back Fist & Cross
Front Stance (Chun Gul Jaseh)
Two onto Two self-defence number 1
Yellow Belts should recall the previous syllabus (demonstrated in June)!
Orange & Blue Belts (11.00am)
This group will need to show you the current syllabus (above) and review some techniques you've previously learned.
High Blocks & Low Blocks
Back, Side, Horse & Cross-Legged Stances
Jab & Cross plus Chop & Punch
Front & Side Kicks
2 onto 2 & Cross-Hand Self-Defences
Additionally, Blue Belts will demonstrate the Beginner Form (Cho Bo Ja Hyung).
You can access the Blue Belt Terminology in the Student Zone here. Be sure to submit your completed blue Beginners Workbook before Graduation. If you've lost yours, you can purchase a replacement from the Club Shop or via the Wix App.
6th Gups to 4th Gups (Green Belts) (12.00pm)
Don't forget your sparring gear - unless you want to do the "Oops, I forgot" walk of shame to the front desk. Bring your A-Game, or at least your "I'm trying really hard" expression!
Your focus should be on Basic Form #1 (Kee Cho Hyung Il Bu) and several of the Rear & Side Self-Defences (just what we have been practicing in class).
When it comes to sparring, never spar with students from your own Centre - this will help you improve your sparring skills.
3rd & 2nd Gups (Red Belts) (1.00pm)
We're excited for an amazing demo by the Red Belts! Additionally, you might be asked to perform any Basic Form and the current Pyung Ahn Hyung (Pyung Ahn Sa Dan Hyung).
Moreover, you'll need to demonstrate the correct number of Rear & Side Self-Defences.
Finally, ensure you bring your sparring gear! Also, remember to spar with participants from other Centres - you can spar with each other every week!
1st Gups (Senior Red Belts) (2.00pm)
In addition to all the impressive techniques demonstrated by the 2nd and 3rd Gups, you also have the added enjoyment of performing the earlier Pyung Ahn Hyung (Pyung Ahn Sam Dan Hyung).
Black Belts (3.00pm)
Black Belts will showcase the previous-level Hyungs we have been practicing in class, along with the Bo Staff defences and the One Step Sparring techniques (numbers 13 to 18). If you've attended class, you'll know what is expected of you! DON'T FORGET YOUR SPARRING GEAR OR YOUR BO STAFF (not got one? Check out the Club Shop oir arrange to borrow one)
Remember, to attend Graduation, you must pass the thorough evaluation by your Instructor and demonstrate your understanding of the syllabus suitable for your age and level. If you can achieve that at our Centres, Graduation will be easy. Relax & enjoy the day and use it as an opportunity to learn even more! Let's make it happen!
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