As you can see in the picture, my journey started just after my 6th birthday when my Mum and Dad took me to a karate lesson at a club called EWF Martial Arts in Kenilworth.

At first, I was quite nervous about joining because it was new surroundings and a big group of other children that I had never met before. But because Mum and Dad thought that I had lazy Saturdays, and they wanted me to get some more exercise, as well as wanting me to get a bigger friendship group and increased self-confidence.

I have not had a “lazy” Saturday morning now for nearly 4 years and I do not mind at all since Karate is one of my favourite activities.

Karate teaches me lots of things like respect for the teachers and students. It was hard work at first and some of the moves are complicated, but is also so much fun learning with friends.

At each stage of my journey, I had to take a test or “grading”. All students start as a White belt but if you pass the gradings, you move up to the next belts, and these are: - Red, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Purple, Brown, Brown-Red, Brown-Red-Red, Brown-White, Brown-White-White, Black-Brown, Black-White, Black-Red, and then at last, Black Belt. No wonder that it took me nearly 4 years!

This December, I went to the EWF Centre in Leicester to take my Black Belt grading. It was so nerve racking because I knew that it was going to be tough! The grading assessment lasted for an hour and a half and we had to show that we could do: -
• 50 press ups
• 50 sit ups
• 50 crunches
• 200 drop side kicks
• 100 leg lunges
As well as this, we had to perform 2 “Katas”. These are sequences of kicks and punches.

I passed!!! On 4th January, me and others, received our Black Belts and a red rose of gratitude (which I gave to my lucky Mum). At the graduation ceremony, we had the chance to meet with Mr Khorsan, the Karate Master. I felt so proud of myself!

Achieving the Black Belt is has not only made me more confident, but it has also taught me to be more determined and disciplined. I have also learned more about respect and belonging to a group of people outside of school.

The journey goes on now. My next target in Karate will be to be awarded Black Belt, First Dan. This can take another year, but it will be worth it.

By Benjy, Year 5

The Warwick School Badminton Association Tournament was held on 29 November at Kenilworth Leisure Centre. There were 150 players in total, and eight players in the U11 category, split into two groups — Group A and Group B. I played in Group A and won the bronze medal.

I want to be a badminton county player one day. I train at our sports hall after school, and I’m going to keep practising to get even better.

It was such a big journey, and I’m really happy with how I did!

By Ved, 4P

Last week, we went to the gurdwara to celebrate the first Guru, Guru Nanak’s, birthday. The gurdwara was lit up with bright lights, and we listened to hymns while everyone smiled and felt happy.

I also got to do seva! Seva means helping without expecting anything back. Guru Nanak taught us to be kind and help everyone. My seva job was helping with the dishes after Langar. Langar is the free meal that everyone eats together, no matter who they are. I washed the dishes and felt proud.

I’m glad I got to celebrate Guru Nanak’s birthday and do seva.

By Aveer

During half term I went to visit Stonehenge. In our history lessons we have been learning about the Stone Age, where people used stones and rocks to make tools and build objects.

Stonehenge was built about 4,500 years ago, by a group of people using giant stones. I walked around the sculpture which was arranged in a circle where some stones were standing up, while others were lying down as they had fallen over.

Nobody knows exactly why it was built, but scientists think it might have been a special place to meet, worship, track the sun and moon, or it might have been a burial ground. The stones are very heavy, and it was amazing how people moved them into place without machinery.

It’s still a mystery and people are still trying to find out how they did it. I had a great experience at Stonehenge, and I would encourage others to go.

I went to India over half term for a big family trip. I saw all my family who I had never met before and went to my grandfather’s village and saw his old house.

It was Diwali when we were in Punjab and it was amazing! Lots of loud and colourful fireworks and amazing food!

We also celebrated my uncle’s 60th birthday, who had also travelled from England.

After seeing all the family, we went on lots of trips to see famous historical places such as the Golden Temple, Waga Boarder, and Agra. In Agra we saw the Red Fort and my favourite, the Taj Mahal!

On Saturday, I swam for my club, Stratford Sharks, at the Coventry & District Autumn meet. I competed in 50m Breaststroke and came second, getting a silver medal and a new PB! I was also one of the youngest in the age category, having only just turned 10! I am competing in 100m Individual Medley next weekend and hope to do well in that too.