Gradings galore at Reading tonight as Josh, Chris and Simon prepared to level up. At SOTS we have gradings at 30, 200 and 400 hours of study, the last two involving multiple fights and written pieces. Our senior students put in a huge effort, with Simon and Josh continuing their assessments this weekend at our anniversary event. Great work all!
It was a special night in Godalming tonight, as the school saw two students rise to the rank of Laureando.
Laureando is the second exam students at the School can take after their initial safety test (which makes sure they are safe to spar). The laureando typically after 200 hours of study and some experience of teaching others.
April and John untook a number of bouts with a variety of weapons ending in an exchange against a weapon they hadn’t encountered before. They had each submitted a written piece prior to tonight.
Congrats to both. It’s taken a lot of hard work but is well deserved.
It was a special night in Reading last night, as the school saw not one, but four students rise to the rank of Laureando.
Laureando is the second exam students at the School can take after the initial safety test (to make sure they are safe to spar). This is typically after 200 hours of study and some experience of teaching others.
Daniel and Phil from our Reading chapter were joined by Kristian and Luis from Oxford and untook a number of bouts with a variety of weapons ending in an exchange against a weapon he hadn’t encountered before.
Congrats to all involved. It’s taken a lot of hard work.
It was a big night in Godalming tonight as Phil Hodder took his Laureando assessment. The rank is given to a student who has shown expertise with a number of weapon combinations and Phil’s assessment this evening required him to have a number of fights to showcase his range of skill.
Congratulations Phil on the hard work it has taken to get him to this stage.
We had a very special and fun night of gradings on Wednesday with with over thirty people attending to see and participate in three senior students testing their skill.
An array of weapons such as rapier, dagger, cloak, sidesword and buckler were used; as well as a variety of situations. The final bout was carried out in darkness and with the addition of lanterns.
Congratulations Adrian and Simon on passing their Laureando assessments, and particularly to Matt, who has achieved the ultimate rank of Spadaccino. Well deserved all.
In the past few weeks we’ve had a spate of candidati passing their safety test and rising to the rank of studente, however that is not where progression ends within the school.
On Monday night, Stewart became our latest student to pass his laureando exam. In an evening fighting a range of opponents and weapons Stewart demonstrated the quality of his swordplay.
Stewart has been with us since 2012 and as well as being our Treasurer has been a very active instructor within the school. We’re naturally very proud of the hard work and dedication that Stewart has put in and look forward to see him further progress within the school.
