Disciplinary Policy

Purpose

The International Wing Chun Academy is committed to providing a safe, disciplined, and respectful training environment for all students.

This policy outlines the standards of behaviour expected of children who train with the Academy, the responsibilities of parents and legal guardians, and the disciplinary procedures that staff, trainers, and volunteers must follow.

Scope

This policy applies to children training in our Little Dragons and Teen Phoenix classes.

Where a student under the age of 18 trains in an adult class, staff, trainers, and volunteers apply the same approach and the same standards of conduct, calibrated to the student's age and maturity.

Behavioural Expectations

While enrolled at the Academy, we expect children to:

• Arrive on time for class.
• Wear the correct Academy uniform.
• Make a reasonable effort to focus and participate in the entire class, including the warm-up and workout (if applicable).
• Follow the reasonable instructions of staff, trainers, and volunteers acting in the performance of their duties.
• Be respectful towards staff, trainers, volunteers, and fellow students.
• Follow the Academy Rules at all times.

Examples of expected behaviours include:

• Addressing trainers by their correct titles, e.g. 'Instructor John'.
• Standing quietly in stance with fists pulled back while being taught.
• Making an effort to practise an exercise or technique to the best of their ability.
• Being a helpful and responsible training partner.
• Respecting the personal space of others and refraining from horseplay.
• Asking permission before leaving the group, e.g. to use the bathroom.
• Raising their hand to ask questions.

Responsibility of Parents and Legal Guardians

While discipline is a fundamental part of Wing Chun training, home life, school life, and other experiences all play a part in shaping a child's behaviour.

We ask that parents and legal guardians work with us to ensure their child meets the Academy's behavioural expectations, so that they and their fellow students may enjoy a safe, disciplined, and respectful training environment that is conducive to their growth and development.

Approach to Discipline and Instruction

Staff, trainers, and volunteers must:

• Set clear expectations and boundaries for children.
• Use a positivity-focused approach, including:
  • Using do instructions in preference to don't instructions.
  • Using positive reinforcement to encourage good behaviour.

They must never:

• Shame or humiliate a child.
• Lose their temper or react emotionally.
• Use aggression, intimidation, or threats.
• Use physical contact as a form of discipline.

Staff, trainers, and volunteers must approach every disciplinary matter with compassion and understanding. Students with diverse needs may struggle with focus, and behavioural expectations must be applied with that in mind.

When Discipline Is Not the Answer

Children will often misbehave for reasons unrelated to the class. If a staff member, trainer, or volunteer forms the view that a child's behaviour may stem from harm, distress, or an unmet need, or if a child discloses something concerning during a private chat, they must stop the disciplinary process and escalate the matter under our Child Safe Policies. Discipline is never our response to a child who is struggling.

Parents, legal guardians, and students who have a concern about the conduct of a staff member, trainer, or volunteer, including any departure from the standards set out above, should raise it under the complaints process in our Child Safe Policies. All concerns are taken seriously and handled confidentially.

Disciplinary Procedure

Strikes apply within a single class and reset at the start of each class.

Staff, trainers, and volunteers must implement a three-strike rule to address misbehaviour of any kind:

Strike 1: First Warning

• A light warning, using the student's name.
• Instruction should be phrased positively (e.g. "Bobby, please stand quietly in your stance when being taught").

Strike 2: Final Warning

• A firmer reminder to comply, informing the student that this is their final warning (e.g. "Bobby, this is your last warning. Do not throw the focus mitts around the room.")

Strike 3: Private Chat Away from the Group

• The staff, trainer, or volunteer must ask the student to 'have a chat' away from the group, but within view of other supervising adults (e.g. "Bobby, please come and have a chat with me.")
• The staff, trainer, or volunteer must:
  • Ask compassionately if something is wrong.
  • Reiterate the behaviour required of the student.
  • Confirm the student's understanding by having them repeat the instruction.
  • Explain to the student that if they receive another warning, they will need to sit out for a specified period.

Consequences of Failing to Comply

If the student refuses or fails to comply after Strike 3, they must sit out, in view of a supervising adult, for 5 to 10 minutes. They must not use any electronic devices, toys, or other forms of entertainment while sitting out.

The student may be allowed to rejoin the group once the sit-out period has elapsed, at which point the staff, trainer, or volunteer must:

• Reiterate the behaviour required of the student.
• Explain to the student that if they receive another warning, they will need to sit out for the remainder of the class.

Repeated Failure to Comply

If a student receives a warning after being allowed to rejoin the group, they must sit out, in view of a supervising adult, for the remainder of the class. They must not use any electronic devices, toys, or other forms of entertainment while sitting out.

If the student is young and their parent or legal guardian is present, the staff member, trainer, or volunteer may instead ask that the student be removed from the training area for the remainder of the class.

Any student asked to sit out for the remainder of the class must have a brief incident summary recorded on their student profile by an authorised staff member, who will forward the summary to the student's parent or legal guardian.

Incident summaries are recorded on the student's profile in the Academy's student management system, are accessible only to authorised staff, and are retained for two years after the student's enrolment ends.

Bullying

Bullying is not treated as ordinary misbehaviour and is not subject to the three-strike rule.

A staff member, trainer, or volunteer who witnesses bullying or is told about it must separate the students involved, ensure the affected student is safe and supported, and report the incident to an authorised staff member the same day. The Academy will record the incident and contact the parents or legal guardians of each student involved.

Disciplinary Suspension and Expulsion

Suspension

If a student is asked to sit out for the remainder of a class three or more times within any three-month period, the Academy may, at its sole discretion, place the student on disciplinary suspension. The parent or legal guardian will be notified in writing, with a summary of the behaviour of concern and the incidents recorded.

Membership payments will be paused for the duration of the disciplinary suspension, and the membership's minimum term (if applicable) will be extended by the same period. Disciplinary suspensions do not count toward the membership's ordinary suspension entitlement.

The Academy may, at its sole discretion, attach conditions to the suspended student's resumption of training, including requiring the student's parent or legal guardian to attend the student's first few classes after returning.

Expulsion

If a student is placed on disciplinary suspension twice within any six-month period, the Academy may, at its sole discretion, expel the student. The parent or legal guardian will be notified in writing of the behaviour and incidents leading to the expulsion.

If a student is expelled, the membership ends two weeks after written notice is given to the parent or legal guardian, and membership fees remain payable for that two-week period, consistent with the standard termination notice period.

Exceptions

Serious misbehaviour, including bullying, violence, or conduct that puts another person's safety at risk, may result in immediate suspension or expulsion without the preceding steps.

Review Log

• Last reviewed: 16 July 2026
• Next review date: 1 February 2027, or earlier if any critical incidents occur.
• Responsible officer: Tristan Fung, Training Supervisor.
• Contact information: Please contact us