Everything your family needs for Fridays.
Short, practical and printable. Keep it handy for the first few months — and message Master Clarke any time something isn't covered here.
What to bring
Until the dobok arrives, a t-shirt and track pants are perfect. Taekwondo is trained barefoot.
From the ages 9+ group onward, students add sparring gear as they progress — head guard, chest protector, gloves, shin and forearm guards. Master Clarke will tell you when it's needed; don't buy it in advance.
Leave at home
- Jewellery, watches and earrings (cover studs with tape if they can't come out)
- Shoes on the training floor
- Chewing gum and sweets
- Phones during class — they stay in the bag
Fingernails and toenails should be trimmed short to protect training partners.
On the day
| Group | Arrive by | Class | Pick-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juniors · ages 5–8 | 2:20 PM | 2:30 – 3:30 PM | 3:30 PM sharp |
| Ages 9 & older | 3:35 PM | 3:45 – 5:00 PM | 5:00 PM sharp |
Classes are held at the Social Development Commission (SDC) Office, Centre Road, Santa Cruz. There is no class on public holidays; any other change is announced on WhatsApp. If a student is unwell — fever, vomiting, or anything contagious — please keep them home and message us.
Dojang etiquette
Courtesy is the first tenet of taekwondo, and it starts at the door.
- Bow when entering and leaving the training area, and to your partner before and after every drill.
- Address the instructor as “Master Clarke” or Sabeomnim (사범님).
- Arrive on time. A late student waits at the edge, bows, and joins when invited.
- Listen first. When the instructor speaks, students stand at attention (charyeot).
- Respect the dobok. Keep it clean, folded and tied properly; the belt never touches the floor.
- Train with control. We look after every partner — no one gets hurt to make a point.
The five tenets
| 예의 | Courtesy · Ye-ui |
| 염치 | Integrity · Yeom-chi |
| 인내 | Perseverance · In-nae |
| 극기 | Self-control · Geuk-gi |
| 백절불굴 | Indomitable spirit · Baekjeol-bulgul |
Attendance policy
Regular attendance is essential to progress and safety. Please give advance notice of planned absences where possible — extended or unannounced absences may affect eligibility for grading, team selection and competition.
If circumstances — medical, financial or personal — affect attendance, speak with Master Clarke first. Solutions are always explored.
Gradings
Gradings are held every three months. A student is entered when Master Clarke judges them ready on syllabus, attendance and attitude. Rank is earned at the individual's pace and is never guaranteed within a fixed time.
Grading dates are announced on WhatsApp about a month ahead. On the day, students wear a clean dobok, arrive early, and show the poomsae, kicks, terminology and conduct for their rank.
Who certifies the rank?
Colour belts (10th to 1st kup) are certified through World Taekwondo Mandeville. Black belt grades (dan for 15+, poom for under 15) are certified by the Kukkiwon in Seoul through World Taekwondo Jamaica — recognised at any World Taekwondo club in the world.
Payments & receipts
Tuition is due at the start of each month and can be paid at class or by transfer. Every payment is logged in the World Taekwondo Mandeville system and a receipt is sent to the WhatsApp number on your registration form. For the current fee schedule or transfer details, message us on WhatsApp or call 876-784-1808.
Thirty days' written notice is given of any fee change. Tuition paid is non-refundable.
Korean terms you'll hear
Commands in class are given in Korean, as they are in every dojang in the world. Practise them at home — they're part of every grading.
| Korean | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 차렷 | Charyeot | Attention |
| 경례 | Gyeongnye | Bow |
| 준비 | Junbi | Ready |
| 시작 | Sijak | Begin |
| 그만 | Geuman | Stop |
| 바로 | Baro | Return to ready |
| 쉬어 | Swieo | At ease / rest |
| 기합 | Kihap | Spirit yell |
| 도장 | Dojang | Training hall |
| 도복 | Dobok | Uniform |
| # | Say it | Korean |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hana | 하나 |
| 2 | Dul | 둘 |
| 3 | Set | 셋 |
| 4 | Net | 넷 |
| 5 | Daseot | 다섯 |
| 6 | Yeoseot | 여섯 |
| 7 | Ilgop | 일곱 |
| 8 | Yeodeol | 여덟 |
| 9 | Ahop | 아홉 |
| 10 | Yeol | 열 |
Kicks: ap chagi (front kick), dollyeo chagi (roundhouse), yeop chagi (side kick), naeryeo chagi (axe kick), dwit chagi (back kick).
Ten minutes at home
A little practice between Fridays makes a big difference. Keep it short, fun and safe — clear space, bare feet, no kicking near furniture or siblings.
- Warm up — jog on the spot, arm circles, gentle stretches (2 min).
- Stances — hold front stance and walking stance, 20 seconds each side.
- Kicks — 10 slow front kicks each leg, focusing on chamber and balance.
- Poomsae — walk through the current pattern once slowly, once with power.
- Terms — count to ten in Korean and say the class commands.
- Cool down — sit-and-reach and butterfly stretch.
How parents can help
- Praise effort and courtesy more than the kick height.
- Ask “what did you learn today?” on the drive home.
- Keep the dobok washed and ready by Thursday night.
- Tell Master Clarke about anything that might affect training — injuries, worries or big changes at home.
Ready to join?
Registration takes about five minutes and includes the waiver.