The following codes of conduct are what are expected from our instructors, students and parents at Southern Cross Martial Arts.

Instructor Code of Practice

As a martial artist teaching and working with students at Southern Cross Martial Arts, either paid or as a volunteer, I:

  1. Shall assume responsibility for my performance and strive to improve teaching skill;
  2. Shall strive to maintain the dignity of the profession by respecting and obeying the law;
  3. Shall not intentionally expose the student to embarrassment or disparagement;
  4. Shall not on the basis of race, colour, creed, sex, national origin, marital status, political or religious beliefs, family, social or cultural background, or sexual orientation, unfairly:
    • Exclude any student from participation in any program
    • Deny benefits to any student
    • Grant any advantage to any student
  5. Shall not disclose information about students unless disclosure serves a compelling professional purpose or as required by law;
  6. Shall not misrepresent my professional qualifications;.
  7. Shall continue personal and professional growth;
  8. Shall not make false or malicious statements about a colleague, student, or their families;
  9. Shall not use disparaging comparisons of other schools or styles;
  10. Shall not accept any gift, or favour that might appear to influence my decisions or action;
  11. Shall cover grading requirements throughout each semester;
  12. Shall use appropriate caution when working physically with any student;
  13. Shall honour students’ concerns for safety at all times;
  14. Shall protect the student from conditions detrimental to safety.
  15. Shall communicate to parents all information in the best interest of the student;
  16. Shall play a positive and active role in school/community relations;
  17. Shall respect the values and traditions of the diverse cultures in the classroom.
  18. Shall not guarantee any rank;
  19. Shall provide materials which are truthful and do not include any false, misleading, or exaggerated claims;
  20. Shall not use my position and/or influence in any way that may be detrimental to the physical and mental well-being of my students;
  21. Shall maintain my compulsory working with children and first aid credentials;
  22. Shall display control, respect and professionalism to all involved with the martial arts. This includes opponents, instructors, officials, administrators, the media, parents and spectators. I will encourage participants to do the same;
  23. Shall show concern and caution towards sick and injured participants. I will follow the advice of the physician when determining whether an injured participant is ready to recommence training and competition.
  24. Shall always ensure that any physical contact with a participant or young person should be appropriate to the situation and necessary for their skill development.
  25. Shall always comply with the requirements of Southern Cross Martial Arts policies and procedures, which I have made myself familiar with.

Student Code of Conduct

Southern Cross Martial Arts is a progressive traditional self defence school that combines modern training methods and a scientific approach, yet still follows and promotes traditional values. Our training sessions are conducted in the spirit of mutual co-operation and friendly competition to enable everyone to develop their personal skills.

Traditional values at our school means acting with the:

  • Spirit of Contribution
  • Spirit of Respect
  • Spirit of Harmony and Unity
  • Spirit of Determination
  • Spirit of Humanity

We endeavour to promote the positive aspects of martial culture and this is achieved through the use of traditional methods such as belt ranking systems, a school hierarchy and traditional rituals of respect and courtesy which honour the founders and predecessors of the arts we study.  As such:

  • always bow when entering and leaving the training area. We also bow at the commencement and completion of each class, as well as to our training partners before and after training drills.
  • always refer to instructors by their teaching rank or title. If unsure, the title Sensei will suffice.
  • appreciate that martial arts, regardless of ‘style’, is defensive in nature and violence, either in or out of the school, will not be tolerated.
  • show respect for each other, and cultivating the virtues of modesty and humility.
  • recognise that a martial arts school is not a democracy. Know that your instructors are professionals and have your best interests at heart.

1. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every human being

  • Within the context of the activity, treat everyone equally regardless of sex, ethnic origin or religion
  • Respect your parents and elders at all times
  • Show respect and humility to all you should meet especially your instructors and senior members

2. Be responsible to ensure that your time spent in training is a positive experience

  • You are studying a martial art in a school which promotes traditional values.
  • Pay attention to the direction and teaching of your instructor
  • Be diligent in your training, concentrate, and remain focused
  • Do not disrupt the class in so doing endangering the safety of others, being disrespectful to your instructor and embarrassing yourself
  • Practice in your own time and develop your own mental and physical ability

3. Treat each person as an individual

  • Respect the talent, desire to learn, and goals of each individual in the class
  • Help each person reach their full potential
  • Unnecessary roughness, crude language, or a display of ill temper or disrespect is strictly forbidden.

4. Be fair, considerate and honest with fellow students

  • Safety comes first
  • Control your personal ego
  • Remember humility in training
  • Out of respect for instructors and class mates, maintain good personal hygiene – this means a clean uniform, clean body, controlled body odour, long hair tied back and fingernails and toenails kept short

5. Be professional in and accept responsibility for your actions

  • Language, manner, punctuality, attitude and integrity should display high standards
  • Display control, respect, dignity and professionalism to all involved with the martial art/sport. This includes opponents, coaches, officials, administrators, the media, parents and spectators
  • Rank is earned, not given

6. Make a commitment to yourself

  • Maintain or improve your current skills, ability and develop your personal attitude
  • Seek continual improvement through performance appraisal and ongoing training
  • You will make a healthy body through unyielding training and perseverance

7. Any physical contact with fellow students should be:

  • Appropriate to the situation
  • Necessary for training skills development

8. Refrain from any form of personal abuse towards fellow students

  • This includes verbal, physical and emotional abuse
  • Be alert to any forms of abuse directed towards other members of Southern Cross Martial Arts

9. Refrain from any form of harassment towards fellow students

10. Maintain a safe environment for training and competition

  • Ensure that you comply to equipment and facility safety standards
  • Always follow our infection control guidelines
  • Always demonstrate poise under pressure, adherence to the competition rules and display control, respect, dignity and professionalism

11. Show concern and caution towards sick and injured members

  • Support members training using a modified training program as a result of an injury or disability where appropriate

12. Be a positive role model for your martial art

  • Treat people with respect and openness
  • Train diligently while being considerate of others
  • Remember that your actions can affect the reputation of the school and your classmates.

Failure to abide by the student code of conduct will result in consequences ranging from verbal interview/discussion, through to loss of rank, inability to attempt the next grading/graduation or even termination of membership. No form of harassment, bullying or violence will be tolerated.

Parents Code of Conduct

Today’s parents have an important role in the delivery and support of sporting activities for their own and other children. With it comes a clear responsibility to act in a constructive and encouraging manner at all times.

Remember, that in martial arts, your child is participating in an activity where discipline and respect are paramount.  Your child’s instructor is responsible for the welfare of all students in his/her class and may therefore be required to deal with issues that have the potential to jeopardise the safety or learning of other students. If you should at any time have concerns about your child or their instructor, please make an appointment to arrange a time to discuss your concerns with your child’s instructor or a Southern Cross Martial Arts management representative, outside of class time.   

Barracking and wanting your child to perform well is human nature, but it is critical that this should be done in a responsible manner avoiding the ugly parent syndrome at all times.

The same applies to gossip, harassment and bullying among parents which is also symptomatic of ugly parent syndrome.

Any perceived breaches of the parents code of conduct will be investigated and if a parent is found to be in breach of the parent’s code of conduct the consequences can include the following (at management discretion):

  • there will be an informal discussion with the parent to discuss the behaviour; or
  • they will receive a warning and a two-week suspension from attending their children’s classes or tournaments; or
  • the parent may be permanently banned from attending their children’s classes or tournaments; or
  • the students membership will be cancelled.

Breaches which are criminal in nature, or which jeopardise participant safety, may result in suspension pending investigation and/or immediate membership cancellation.

  1. Remember that children train in martial arts and sport for their enjoyment, not yours.
  2. Encourage children to participate – do not force participation upon them.
  3. Focus on the child’s efforts and self-esteem rather than whether they win or lose, grade or not.
  4. Encourage your child at all times in a positive manner.
  5. Focus on your child’s achievements rather than what they fail to achieve in their first attempt. This includes their ability to achieve skill stripes and/or belt tests/graduations.
  6. Encourage children to always participate according to the rules (regardless of what the opposition appears to be doing).
  7. Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or for losing a competition.
  8. Remember that children learn best by example – applaud the efforts of all.
  9. Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
  10. Show appreciation of volunteer instructors, student instructors, officials and administrators without whom your child could not participate.
  11. Respect referee’s decisions and teach children to do likewise.
  12. Remember that smoking and the consumption of alcohol is unacceptable at junior sport.
  13. Respect the rights, dignity and worth of every young person regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
  14. Encourage and nurture your child’s own talents and do not compare them to others.
  15. Encourage children to play according to the rules and to settle disagreements without resorting to aggression, hostility or violence.
  16. Keep children in your care under your control.
  17. Always respect the use of facilities and equipment provided.
  18. Understand that a martial arts school is called a Dojo, a ‘place of the way of martial arts’, for a reason. It is not a democracy. If you have concerns regarding the class, the instructors or the participants, then raise them in an appropriate manner. Gossiping, tantrums and generally being abusive is not an appropriate manner for an adult.