Graduation - October 2025
- North Manchester FMAC
- Oct 15
- 6 min read
A lot of you have probably been to Graduation before, so you know how it goes. But for those who haven't or can't quite remember because it's been ages since you last went (shame on you!😉), here's everything you need to know...
Graduations happen in the Sports Hall at Bury Grammar School, located at Tenterden Street, Bury BL9 0HN.
How to get to Graduation?
You'll find the entrance to the Sports Hall at Bury Grammar School on Tenterden Street. We're located on the Boys School site, right in the Sports Hall. Just look for the entrance on that sharp corner about halfway down Tenterden Street.
You can park on-site, and there’s some street parking nearby - just be sure to check any restrictions. Plus, there's plenty of paid parking at the Castle Leisure Centre, right across Jubilee Way.
If you’d rather take public transport (which is definitely the easy choice for a lot of Prestwich students!), the buses and trams stop at Bury Interchange. From there, it's just a quick 5-minute walk to the graduation venue.
When is it?
The normal Graduation is on Sunday 19th October 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.
If you can't make it to Graduation on the 19th because of religious, cultural, work, or holiday reasons, there are other options for you. Just make sure you asked for one when you sent in your form and you should have gotten the details by text. If not, you'll need to be at Bury Grammar School on Sunday. If you didn't turn in a Graduation form, the next chance to graduate will be in December.
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)
When you get here, just check in with the Instructor at the Reception area. Make sure to give your name so we can have all the certificates ready for the Graduation ceremony - let's avoid any last-minute surprises! No need to show up too early; 8:45 am is plenty of time for you to get ready and for us to set up the hall. If you come earlier, you won't be able to get in anyway!
Don't worry, parents! We've got plenty of Instructors on hand to help our youngest students remember and show off what they've learned. Some instructors will be up front doing demos, while others will be around to give extra support. All your little Tiger needs to do is follow along and do their thing just like in class! The very friendly Mr Ogden is in charge 😂
For the Tigers, graduation is just like another big class. All they have to do is show up in their uniforms, do what they've been practicing, and they're good to go! It's usually the parents who are 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 Chop Kick? (Ahnerso Pahkero Cha Gi)
What is the Korean for Double High Block? (Sang Soo Sang Dan Mahk Kee)
What is the Korean for Cross-Legged Stance? (Kyo Cha Rip Jaseh)
Plus all the things we have been discussing as part of our ‘Fire Safety’ 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:
Double High Block
Chop Kick
Hopping Chop Kick
Hammer Fist & Punch
Cross-Legged Stance
Two onto One self defence (you will need to get involved, parents)
and a Combination of Chop Kick, Hammer Fist & Punch
Don't forget to snap a ton of pics and plaster your wild Tiger adventures all over the Tiger Facebook pages! Make sure to snag a selfie with your favorite Instructor (Mr. Ogden is currently winning the "most selfies with Tigers" contest, so let's give him some competition!).
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've moved up from Tigers, plus everyone with White and Yellow Belts. You'll see a lot of familiar Instructors up front. Make sure to get there 10 minutes early and hang out in the designated spot 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:
High Block (Sang Dan Mahk Kee)
Side Kick (Yup Podo Cha Gi)
Both Chop Kicks (Ahneso Pahkuro Cha Gi & Pahkeso Ahnuro Cha Gi)
Jab & Cross
Side Stance (Sa Ka Rip Jaseh)
Same Side self-defence number 1
Yellow Belts should recall the previous syllabus (demonstrated in August)! Mr Foster will put you through your paces...
Orange & Blue Belts (11.00am)
This group will need to show the current syllabus (above) and review some techniques you've previously learned. They will do so under the expert-eye of Mr McCann.
Middle Blocks & Low Blocks
Back, Front, Horse & Cross-Legged Stances
Backfist & Cross plus Chop & Punch
Front & Roundhouse Kicks
2 onto 2 & Same Side 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)
Remember your sparring gear - unless you fancy doing the "Oops, I forgot" shuffle of shame to the front desk. Bring your A-Game, or at least your "I'm really giving it my best" face!
Your focus should be on Basic Form #2 (Kee Cho Hyung Ee Bu) and several of the Cross-Hand Self-Defences (just what we have been practicing in class). The incredibly tall Mr Watt is the man in command.
When it comes to sparring, whatever you do, never spar with students from your own Centre - unless you want your skills to stay as fresh as last week's leftovers!
3rd & 2nd Gups (Red Belts) (1.00pm)
We're pumped for a jaw-dropping demo by the Red Belts! Plus, don't be surprised if you're called up to show off any Basic Form and the latest Pyung Ahn Hyung - time to shine, folks! Mrs Kelly will be watching over you.
Moreover, you'll need to demonstrate the correct number of Cross Hand Self-Defences.
Finally, don't forget your superhero armour - aka your sparring gear! And hey, mix it up by sparring with folks from other Centres. After all, you can battle your usual suspects every week!
1st Gups (Senior Red Belts) (2.00pm)
Not only do you get to show off the fancy moves of the 2nd and 3rd Gups, but you also get the bonus round of fun by doing the earlier Pyung Ahn Hyung!
Black Belts (3.00pm)
Black Belts will showcase the previous-level Hyungs we have been practicing in class, along with the Cuff Grips and the One Step Sparring techniques (numbers 1 to 6). If you've attended class, you'll know what is expected of you! DON'T FORGET YOUR SPARRING GEAR.
To attend Graduation, you need to successfully complete a comprehensive evaluation by your Instructor and show your grasp of the syllabus appropriate for your age and level. If you can accomplish this at our Centres, Graduation will be straightforward. Relax, enjoy the day, and use it as a chance to learn even more! Let's make it happen!
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