Chesterfield Inlet (Sep 01/04) - The call of Chesterfield Inlet's storied history was too much to ignore for Victor Sammurtok school's new principal.

Peter Laracy hails from Cupids, Nfld., and left his wife and three kids behind in Bay Roberts, Nfld., to accept the Chester position.

Victor Sammurtok school principal Peter Laracy, of Chesterfield Inlet, gives Grade 12 student Sandy Aggark some help with a project while Kelsey Aggark, Grade 2, looks on. - photo courtesy of Glen Brocklebank

The principal arrived in Chester on Aug. 3 and began work at the school on Aug. 7.

"I was retiring from my position at All Hallows elementary school in North River, Nfld., after about 30 years there, and was looking for a place to continue my teaching career, particularly in the field of administration," says Laracy.

"I talked to a number of people who had been in Kivalliq communities and attended an information session at Memorial University.

"I heard enough good things about the region to decide to embark on a Northern adventure."

Laracy describes himself as a bit of a history buff and says Chester's storied past played a large role in his decision to come North.

He says he also felt a smaller community would be best suited to begin his adventure.

"It was Chester's history that really attracted me, especially the fact it has been around a long time compared to most other settlements," he says.

Laracy also drew some comparisons between his Newfoundland hometown to his new place of residency.

"Established in 1610, Cupids was the first official settlement in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Prior to 1610, it was against the law to live in Newfoundland and Labrador year-round," he says.

"So, there was a definite connection there on the basis of originality."

Kids want to learn

Laracy has been involved with both the Great Canadian Geography Challenge and the Heritage Fair movement for the past 10 years.

While his primary focus will be on helping students reach their academic goals, Laracy has a great interest in storytelling and is excited about experiencing Northern and Inuit culture on a first-hand basis.

"I'm really hoping to get involved with the storytelling scene here in the Kivalliq, as well as working with the students, parents and school staff in the community.

"Most kids are the same anywhere. They want to learn, succeed, know that somebody cares about them and be in a safe place."