What is a ‘makeup class?

We understand that students may need to miss a class or two (or more!) each term – due to work or other sporting commitments, sickness, injury or just because ‘life happens’.

When you miss a class, you’re welcome to catch up on your missed training via a ‘makeup class’, or simply skip a class or two.

Makeup classes are available to students online - via the BBMA Online Academy.

How do I complete an online ‘makeup’ class?

Students catch up on missed training from home (or wherever they are) via the BBMA Online Academy.

We pre-record whole 'Catch Up' classes for exactly this purpose and add these to the BBMA Online Academy at the beginning of each new term. 

As a member of the BBMA Online Academy you will also have access to the full curriculum for every BBMA program - from white belt to black belt and beyond. You can find technical break-downs for every skill, drill, form and kata that we’re learning this term. And search functions make it so simple to find whatever it is you are looking for, from a certain kick to a tricky combination, a Lil Dragon ‘Red Stripe’ nomination, or a mindfulness or life lesson.

Individual skills videos often run for just a few minutes (3-4 minutes of actual training time). You can slow down, pause and repeat the content if/as needed.

If you are looking to makeup a class online, and wish to receive a class ‘credit’ (equivalent to a black stripe - where we update your attendance records) - you must complete a designated Catch Up Class.

Note: you are welcome to do any of the skills videos you wish, however you will only receive a class credit when you complete an entire Catch Up Class. These normally require 27- 30 minutes of training time, for each lesson.

See below for examples of Catch Up Classes on the Online Academy:

.Let us know when you complete an Online Academy ‘Catch Up Class’, so we can update your official attendance records. You'll receive class 'credit's (like a black stripe on the karate belt). 

Does my ONLINE training count towards my next belt grading?

Students can attend as much online training as they like.

At our formal Group/Level upgrades, we usually find that the students who perform the best are those that do the most at-home/online training!

However, students also need a minimum amount of face-to-face training. We need to see you in person to provide the appropriate level of coaching and support.

-          Lil & Tiny Dragons: You’ll need to attend at least 6 classes per term in person at the Dojo.
You can attend an additional 2 (or more if you like) Catch Up classes online.
You’ll need 8 in total to be eligible to grade at the end of term.

-          Basic to L3 students: You’ll need to attend at least 12 classes per term in person at the Dojo.
You can attend an additional 4 (or more if you like) Catch Up classes online from home.
You’ll need 16 in total to be eligible to grade at the end of term.

Can I attend a makeup class in person at the Dojo?

If I miss my class on Monday, can I book a class on Wednesday instead?

Normally, no.

BBMA Hornsby Students have a secure, reserved place in their pre-booked class. This way, you’ll never miss out (due to overbooking or increased demand). Your position in that class will be held just for you – even if you choose not to attend.

We ‘cap’ our class numbers, not allowing extra ‘drop in’ students - for student safety (and experience), to help build friendships and a sense of community within class groups, and to preserve a good teacher/student ratio. We find controlling class participation in this way makes a safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone.

For clarity - this means we don’t allow students to move around/between classes week to week, and don’t normally allow makeup classes at the dojo.

Except…during our special event ‘Makeup Class Weeks’!

• Twice per term we run a special event 'Makeup Class Week' - where students can book in for a catchup class in person at the Dojo

• We normally run the first 'Makeup Class' event during Progress Check Week (halfway through each term) and then again during Belt Testing (at the end of each term).

• Check our Student Newsletters and Student Facebook Group for dates and details.

To book a Makeup Class in person at the Dojo:

Book yourself in via the BBBMA Mobile App!

Don’t have access to the mobile app yet? You can request access here - https://app.clubworx.com/websites/black-belt-martial-arts-hornsby/access_requests/new 

Please remember, you can only book a makeup class at the dojo during a designated ‘Makeup Class Week’. Please ask if you’re unsure 😊

There are no special/additional ‘makeup’ classes at the Dojo. We just run our normal timetable during Makeup Class Weeks.

Students wishing to book in for a makeup class simply pick the class (for their program) which suits them best, during a designated Makeup Class Week, and book themselves in on the mobile app. We’ll be expecting you :)

What if those options don’t suit me – we are just too busy!

 Then you are welcome to simply miss a week!

Students can miss a week or two of classes every single term - due to illness or other commitments - and remain on track and eligible for grading. 

If you miss 2 weeks of training (or less) in one term, there is NO NEED to attend a makeup class. We deliberately created our school terms in this way – overdelivering on the required number of classes – to reduce pressure on students and allow our busy families lots of flexibility.

BBMA deliver our programs via 10-week ‘school’ terms (4 terms per year). Students only need attend on 8 of these weeks to remain on track for grading to the next belt level.

-          For Lil Dragons and Tiny Dragons, this means attending at least 8 classes per term (at least 6 of these in a face-to-face class at the dojo – the others can be completed online from home)

-          For Basic to L4 Karate and Kickboxing students, this means attending at least 16 classes per term (at least 12 of these in a face-to-face class at the Dojo – the others can be completed online from home).