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INUVIK - Dave Halpine is a pretty flexible guy. Whether he's taking a hold on the wrestling mat or shifting from elementary to high school, Halpine is up to the challenge.

This year, Halpine traded his music class position in Sir Alexander Mackenzie school to teach gym class in Samuel Hearne secondary school.

Dave Halpine is the new physical education teacher at Samuel Hearne secondary school. The former music teacher said he is looking forward to the new school year. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

Halpine said the position came up for competition and he applied for it.

He explained that taking a new role wasn't his first choice.

"Originally, I didn't jump on it because I was happy with my place in SAM school," said Halpine.

With an athletic background combined with his years of wrestling coaching, Halpine said his love for physical fitness overcame everything else.

"The more I thought about it, the more my level of comfort with the subject matter really pushed me to come at this with all my vigour," he said.

Halpine is teaching every gym class in Samuel Hearne. He said most classes are pretty straightforward with the exception of the Grade 10 classes.

He said the Grade 10 classes are now split for gym period. The girls have one semester and the boys have the other.

"There are a lot of students in the Grade 10 class," he said. "The girls will be taught by another phys.ed. instructor."

Halpine was at a recent school athletics meeting as well. He said the group discussed the possibilities of what sports could be offered for extra-curricular activities.

"We talked about bringing the floor hockey league back this semester," said Halpine.

The floor hockey season is scheduled to start soon and finish at Christmas time.

"Last year they had a Stanley Cup replica for the final game. I heard it was a blast," said Halpine.

Another of the popular sports to be featured this year is volleyball.

"We want to bring it back again to make it big," he said.

Halpine added the group wants to offer the same three regional sport tournaments like in the past two years.

"Hosting those tournaments is our goal," he said. "We want to build upon that success."

Halpine said he is also keeping himself fit outside of the school gym. He was a participant in the Terry Fox run last year and plans to run again this year.

"Last year, we didn't have too many people out with us for the run," he said.

Halpine said he hopes more will be done for the annual event in the community this year.

"We're most likely doing something here at the school as well but nothing has been finalized yet," he said.