Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Gjoa Haven (Nov 15/99) - In just the last couple of weeks, Dave Tudjan has started to take a beating on the badminton court. And it's pretty much his own fault for being such a good racquet sports teacher.

"There's a few of them that I can't even get close to beating at badminton anymore," said Tudjan, a teacher at the Qiqirtaq high school in Gjoa Haven and one of the two supervisors of the extracurricular badminton club.

On the court for the last couple of months as part of the beefed-up after-school activities, Tudjan said there are plenty of payoffs. Along with giving him the chance to bond with his students outside of the classroom on Thursday afternoons, it gives him the exercise and physical workout he needs.

"You look at me the day after badminton and you can tell it's been tough on me," said Tudjan.

He added that because the entire staff was taking part in offering the 10 different extracurricular activities, a new sense of togetherness had developed between the teachers.

"I feel really encouraged to be a part of this. You don't feel like you're the only one and it's also nice to see so many kids get involved and learn a few new skills," he said.

Johnny Tavalok, 17, is one of the students who's been giving Tudjan a run for his money on the court.

He said that while he had played the game before, the new timetable has given him the opportunity to hone his racket-swinging skills.

"I like winning and smacking the birdie around," said Tavalok, whose peers in the Kitikmeot community can also choose to participate in everything from ping pong to crafts and the Internet club.

As principal Brenda Tudjan explained, the activities are set up to reward the students for good behaviour.

"We have sign-up sheets in the classrooms so when they show up on time in the morning, the first ones to sign up get their pick of activities," she said, adding that the popularity of the events forced the teachers to come up with the plan.

"One day for badminton we had 40 students come out. That was too much to control so we had to come up with some alternative plans."

The principal also added that the next step was to try and get more parents involved to help run the activities and give them a real sense of community.

Twelve-year-old Floyd Quqsaqun has made a whole new set of friends since signing up for soccer, basketball and badminton. And in addition to having a genuinely good time, he is also pleased with the new skills he's picked up.

"I score about four times each game," he said, of his soccer prowess.

Teacher Janice Ellsworth is also involved in it for the skills. She said that besides the good feelings that come with seeing the students so thoroughly enjoy themselves, she liked having the chance to show off her own talents a little.

"It's good for the students to get to see the fun side of us and to see the special skills that we all have. A lot of us are doing the things that are special to us and it's good to share our special interests."