Conduct and Discipline

1. Respect and Dignity: All students must treat the Guru (instructor), coaches, parents, and fellow peers with utmost respect and dignity. This includes showing respect through proper greetings, attentive listening during instructions, and courteous behaviour both on and off the training mat. Respect forms the foundation of Sendeng Teratai and reflects the core values of our martial art.

2. Video and Media Policy: To uphold the integrity and privacy of our training environment, no videos or photos are to be taken during training sessions without explicit permission from the Guru or designated coach. This policy aims to prevent misunderstandings and disputes with other perguruans (schools) and parents, ensuring that our focus remains on learning and personal growth rather than public exposure.

3. Discipline and Focus: Maintain discipline and focus during training sessions. Arrive punctually, ready to learn, and follow instructions attentively. Avoid unnecessary distractions and conversations that could disrupt the learning environment for others.

4. Hygiene and Safety: Ensure personal hygiene and cleanliness of training attire and gear. Trim fingernails and remove jewellery to prevent injury during practice. Keep training areas organized and free from hazards to promote a safe and conducive environment for everyone.

5. Control and Sportsmanship: Exercise control and restraint during drills, sparring, and demonstrations. Respect the physical and emotional well-being of training partners and opponents. Demonstrate good sportsmanship by showing respect and humility in victory and graciousness in defeat.

6. Attendance and Commitment: Attend classes regularly and notify instructors in advance of any absences. Commit to consistent practice and improvement, recognizing that regular attendance is essential for progress in martial arts training.

7. Confidentiality and Integrity: Maintain confidentiality of techniques and teachings learned in class. Refrain from sharing or demonstrating techniques outside of the training environment without permission. Uphold the integrity of pencak silat by representing it accurately and respectfully in all contexts.

8. Respect for Traditions: Honour the traditions and cultural heritage of pencak silat. Show reverence for the symbols, ceremonies, and etiquette observed within the martial art. Understand and appreciate the historical significance and evolution of pencak silat as part of your martial arts journey.

9. Positive Environment: Foster a positive and supportive atmosphere among fellow students. Encourage and assist others in their training journey regardless of skill level. Embrace feedback from instructors and peers as opportunities for growth and improvement.

10. Grooming, Attire, and Social Etiquette: All students are expected to be properly groomed, dressed appropriately, and observe good social etiquette at all times. This includes wearing the proper training attire during sessions, maintaining the natural colour of their hair, and adhering to societal norms and etiquette both within and outside of training.

Consequences for Violations 

Any student found to have violated these rules may be subject to disciplinary action. Sendeng Teratai adopts a graduated disciplinary approach, where consequences are generally proportionate to the nature, severity, and frequency of the misconduct. Depending on the circumstances, disciplinary measures may include counselling, verbal or written warnings, temporary suspension from training or activities, temporary exclusion from competitions, deferment of belt promotion exercises, or, in serious or repeated cases, permanent exclusion from competitions or the perguruan.

Where appropriate, students will continue to be offered opportunities to train and learn, reflecting our belief that discipline should promote growth, accountability, and personal development rather than serve solely as punishment. However, serious misconduct that compromises the safety, well-being, or integrity of the perguruan may warrant more severe disciplinary action without the need to progress through every stage of the disciplinary process.

Discipline Approach

Discipline is viewed as an important part of character development. We believe that mistakes present valuable opportunities for learning, and our aim is to guide students towards making better decisions rather than simply imposing punishment.

As such, we adopt a graduated disciplinary approach, where disciplinary measures are generally proportionate to the nature, severity, and frequency of the misconduct. In most cases, students will first be counselled and guided to understand the impact of their actions before more serious consequences are considered. This allows them the opportunity to reflect, take responsibility, and demonstrate positive change.

However, where misconduct is serious, compromises the safety or well-being of others, damages the reputation of the perguruan, or is fundamentally inconsistent with our values, Sendeng Teratai reserves the right to impose more severe disciplinary measures immediately, without progressing through every stage of the disciplinary process.

Our ultimate goal is not merely to enforce rules, but to nurture respectful, responsible, and resilient pesilats who embody the values of pencak silat both within and beyond the gelanggang.

The approach is guided by these key principles:

• Fairness – Similar cases receive similar treatment.

• Proportionality – The punishment matches the seriousness of the offence.

• Consistency – Rules are applied uniformly.

• Opportunity to improve – The focus is on correcting behaviour, not simply punishing.

• Flexibility – Particularly serious misconduct (e.g. assault, abuse, cheating, or actions that endanger others) may justify skipping the earlier stages and proceeding directly to a more severe sanction.

Type of Offences