Newsletter - Nov 2024

Welcome to the latest edition of the WCI Telford Newsletter for November 2024.  We've come to the end of the training rotation and grading cycle and started another.  Read on to take a look back at the events of the last month. 

October

October was the last 4 weeks of thisrotation, looking at the running step, Vstep, sentence 1&2 of the Siu Nim Tau, 2nd quarter of Chum Kiu, defences against headlocks and guillotines and the first basic movements required for chi sau and pressure testing drills.  It's been great fun and on top of that we've had some exciting developments from the Master Class and more.  Let's take a look.

Junior Grading

Congratulations to Isaac D who brought his usual fun and energy to class and achieved junior warrior grade 6.  Well done!

Adult Grading

Congratulations to the adults class students who put in their best effort and successfully qualified for their next grade. 
Top left to bottom right by grade:
1 - Darren J
1 - Adrian D
3 - Jay S
5 - Kev F
5 - Ethan R
7 - Rich S
8 -Nicole J
11 - John F

Not the end,  just the beginning! 

There are some parts of being a Sifu that really stand out:  A student's first grade, transition through phases and their final student grade among them.
On that note I'd like to give a special congratulations to my amazing Wife Gina Ridgway who after being a full time mother has managed to make the time over the last 2 years to focus on her own personal development and has worked hard to achieve grade 12.  
12th grade is not the end of a journey, but rather it is the start of the next chapter.  All of the skills, theory and attitude developed in the first 12 grades now form the framework required to start training towards your technician degree grades.  This would be our equivalent of a black belt in other arts.  
Well done and keep up the good work.  The real journey begins now.

A welcome return

It is always a sad affair when a beloved and hard working student has to depart from the school but sometimes life happens and we always keep our doors open for those with the right attitude who want to return.  It's fantastic to see the return of Tom Boddison to our school after a 6 year break focusing on his musical studies and business.  Welcome home, Tom.  

Fair thee well, until next time,  or a chance to try something new? 

Talking about departing students, our Globe trotting Technician, Paul has now vacated for the winter to return to Australia.  I'm glad to hear you've arrived safely and are settled back in down there.  This is a perfect opportunity where Paul and I are going to start testing a new project delivering Wing Chun training online.  Watch this space for further announcements.

Invictus scholarship

Well done, Nicole who was in last month's Newsletter after being invited by Master Cameron to the Master class to train with budding technicians and instructors.  Nicole received a surprise when Master Cameron awarded her a brand new Invictus scholarship to reward hard work and progress in the face of challenges. 

A surprise Title

Finally this is another one of those moments when I as a Sifu feel especially proud.  When a student becomes a technician and when they are recognized for their hard work and dedication.  Mark is one of my most first students and has been training with me almost since the beginning of my journey as an instructor.  He has worked hard and has been dedicated to learning the art of Wing Chun. 
Mark's journey has not been without challenges and trials of both of our resolve but through hard work, team work, and good communication we have risen to every challenge.  Mark is my first choice when it comes toassisting with new students who benefit from his guidance on their first day, he is a capable student and a a promising instructor, always willing to help other students and take over classes should cover ever be needed.  Mark is also the go to when our school requires my butchered photography and videography to be professionally edited.
For this reason during the October Master Class, Mark was surprised by being awarded his Sifu title in recognition of his ability, dedication and contribution to the school and organisation.

Congratulations, Sifu Mark Lloyd

A win for one is a win for all

For those of you who have been in attendance this last month has probably been a blur and for any non-members reading this you can see that we've had a fantastic month full of achievements.  We have a school full of amazing students all of whom work hard and train dilligently.  I have no doubt in my mind that all will have the opportunity to achieve great things on their own journey.  My role is to help guide them on that path.
With the achievements announced over the last month I feel it is prudent to highlight the ethos of our school, one of the things that makes it a great place for everybody to train.  No student covets what another student has.  We all have the same destination: mastery of the Wing Chun art, but we are all on our own paths to get there and every journey though guided with the same theories and techniques will all look and feel different to each individual.  This is why Wing Chun is a great art which adapts and changes according to the practitioner and thier opponent in turn.  Every time one student is merited with any kind of award, whether it is a grade, a technician degree, or a title it is not just a winfor that individual but a win for the school and for all of us as a family.

WCI Telford is not just a beginner school but a technician school and an instructor school.  As the head instructor of WCI Telford I may be at the helm to guide each student on their voyage but it is the hard work, dedication, attitude and character of each student together which makes this a school I am proud to be a part of. 

Keep up the great work everybody.  I look forward to writing the next newsletter.


Sifu David Ridgway
WCI Telford