Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, November 28, 2007

REPULSE BAY - Grade 7 students at Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay were given some professional advice on how to deal with bullies earlier this month.

RCMP Const. Tamara Patterson visited the students and gave a presentation on a serious problem that many students deal with every day.

RCMP Const. Tamara Patterson, does an anti-bullying presentation for Grade 7 students at Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay in November of 2007. - Photo courtesy Tusarvik school

Teacher Carol Kennedy said Patterson's presentation was a big help to the students.

She said Patterson made the kids realize that when it comes to bullying, they all have a responsibility to take care of each other and do what they can to stop the problem.

"She (Patterson) made the point that it's just as bad to see someone being bullied and look the other way as it is to be a bully yourself," said Kennedy.

"The presentation was full of good reminders that anyone can fall victim to a bully.

"Kids at this age forget sometimes that teasing can really hurt someone's feelings.

"People often hear the word bullying and think about physical contact, but really hurting someone's feelings can be just as bad."

Kennedy said the students responded well to the presentation and took it very seriously.

"The kids had a lot of questions and, just as importantly, the presentation provided lots of opportunities for them to be the ones answering questions and expressing their feelings.

The 22 students who attended the presentation were presented with a certificate of participation. Kennedy said the students were proud of the certificates they received.

She said she'd like to see more presentations done by the RCMP because they provide the students with the tools with which to address a problem.

"The presentation taught them how to react in different situations and they need that kind of instruction.

"That's especially true when the message is being delivered by someone they respect, because that's when they tend to really listen.

"Kids at that age don't always listen to their parents and teachers.

"But, when a police officer comes into the classroom they have the kids' attention because it's not very often they get to listen to something an officer says."