Resolute Bay (Feb 16/04) - Living in Resolute Bay has been a dream come true for Brian Manning.

Manning is the new principal of Qarmartalik school. While he's only been at the job for three weeks, Manning explained that it's already been a great experience.

"I felt so good after I started meeting people in the community," he said. "The people are warm and friendly. The parents have a real interest in their children's education, which is great to see."

Manning said he has wanted to come North for the past three years and when the opportunity finally arrived, he jumped at the chance.

"I tried to prepare myself as much as possible," he said. "When I finally got up here it was better then I could ever have expected."

He's only been in town a short while but Manning is already to adjusting to the community and has even taken some classes in Inuktitut.

"I want to be able to communicate with everyone in the community," he said. "I have given myself a year to learn the language."

Manning also has some pretty big goals for his school. In December, Qarmartalik school saw some major renovations and an addition. Manning's goal now is to make the school a focal point in the community.

"We have a wonderful facility here," he said. "I want to be able to share that with the community."

As for the students, Manning said they have been great to work with.

"I've never seen students with such positive attitudes towards learning," he said. "They all want to succeed."

Some new programs Manning has added to the school are a driver's education course, with help from the RCMP; a guitar club, a school Web site and a yearbook.

The school is already entered in a regional bridge-building competition and is looking at hosting the regional science fair.

"I want to be able to give the students of Qarmartalik as many opportunities as possible," he said. "My goal is to have Qarmartalik school known for it's educational programs throughout the territory," he said.

Manning is also planning an official school opening, once they have finished with all the cleanup in the school. "It's going to be a lot of work but I'm positive we can get all the work done," he said.