be a warrior
Kendo
Cocurricular Program
The Cocurricular Program at BSC offers students the opportunity to learn Kendo - the Art of the Sword. This martial arts program runs every Wednesday after school in the gymnasium.
Kendo is a modern Japanese Martial art, which descended from swordsmanship (kenjutsu) and uses bamboo swords (shinai) and protective armour (bōgu). Today, it is widely practiced within Japan and many other nations across the world.
Kendo is an activity that combines martial arts practices and values with strenuous sport-like physical activity.
To find out more about Kendo, see the video here.
Striving for excellence
On Sunday 4th March, four of the students from our Kendo co-curricular program undertook grading examinations at the headquarters for Kendo in Melbourne, the Kenshikan. The grading was overseen by high-level Kendo sensei (teachers) who applied strict criteria to everyone’s posture, presentation and technique. It can be a very stressful experience, but all of our students did very well! This was not their first time at grading, as all of them have been practising Kendo for at least a year. In Isabella and Matias’ cases, this is their fourth and third year respectively! Their gradings were more difficult: they had to wear the full armour and demonstrate and even wider range of techniques than did Poppy and Lily. In Kendo we don’t wear belts like other Japanese martial arts but we have similar levels. The grades start at 6th kyu (roughly equivalent to yellow belt) and go down to 1st kyu (brown belt), before going to 1st dan (black belt level). Kendo is an art that encourages life-long learning and striving for excellence.
Well done to all the students! Who will be the first to reach 8th dan?
If you want to
be a warrior
get along to Kendo at BSC - every Wednesday after school in the Gym!
You are more than welcome to come and watch the BSC students train, ask them questions and talk to Mr Sheppard about whether you would like to try it out. New students are always welcome.
Lily Dodd
Year 9
This grading was hard as everyone was watching – and the judges didn’t give anything away! I had to demonstrate most of the basic things I learn every week to earn my 5th kyu grading – and I passed with flying colours!
Poppy McCammon
Year 8
This was not my first grading experience – I have done it once before, so I found it less stressful. I was being graded for my 5th kyu. In this grading, Mr Sheppard was doing the demonstrations for us, so it was a lot like a normal practice session and it was very familiar.
I had to demonstrate a number of things including Kiri kaeshi - which is an attack and defence drill that builds strength and stamina. This is not an actual match against an opponent –just a demonstration of different skills.