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REPULSE BAY - Some new arrivals at Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay have students learning how to care for pets properly.

The school took ownership of a group of tropical fish and a sole hamster this past month.

Students at Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay enjoy checking out the fish on display in an aquarium near the principal's office. - photo courtesy of Leonie Aissaoui

Principal Leonie Aissaoui said the fish are in an aquarium near her office, while the hamster has his own space with the Grade 7 and 8 class.

She said it's always good for kids to learn how to take responsibility for other living things.

"We want our kids to learn living things - whether they're big or small animals - need to be cared for and not be hurt," said Aissaoui.

"Sometimes kids will actually hurt little animals just because they want to play, and don't realize the consequences of what they've done to another living creature.

"So, we're trying to teach them to respect and care for the little animals."

Aissaoui said one of her teachers already had a cage, and a group of students brought her a little rodent they had caught.

The rodent was put in the cage and became, kind of, the class pet.

Aissaoui said the kids did a good job in caring for the little guy, but it died.

"When the teacher heard we were bringing in the fish, she suggested it would be nice to get a hamster to replace the animal that died.

"They searched the Internet to learn how to care for the hamster, then one child brought in an apple for it and so on.

"So, they're starting to learn it's special to be able to care for a little pet."

Aissaoui said the Grade 7 and 8 students certainly seem to enjoy having the hamster in the class.

The fish attract kids to the aquarium all day long, she said.

"They spend as much time as they can just staring at them and loving how fast they move through the water, and I can put my chair there and watch them all day.

"It's a different perspective for the kids because the fish here are, of course, something you catch to eat.

"Even most of the dogs are seen as working animals and not everybody has an animal as a pet.

"It's nice to see them learn about different fish, how to feed them and be responsible for their well-being."