thought these days: a school is much more than bricks and mortar.

"A building does not make a school,'' Mrs. Daniels told The Royal Gazette yesterday. "Parental support, teacher expectations, student motivation -- those things make a school.'' Mrs. Daniels was speaking on the first day her school was divided between the Harrington Sound site in Smith's Parish and the Opportunity Workshop in Devonshire following a devastating fire last weekend.

Education officials placed students at the Whitney Institute for three days after the midnight fire destroyed much of Harrington Sound's central building.

The school is unlikely to be repaired until September.

The school's upper years are now in Devonshire while the lower years continue in Smith's.

Teachers, Bermuda Regiment soldiers, Education and Works and Engineering officials, parents and even Prison Farm inmates all worked to prepare the two schools as soon as possible.

Despite the massive upheaval, Mrs. Daniels said the students had adjusted well, but some parents remained wary.

"The parents want to be assured beyond a reasonable doubt that the education is going to continue and their children are going to be safe,'' Mrs. Daniels explained. "I think it's going to be a wait-and-see game. We are going to have to prove ourselves.

"Our goal this year is to ensure that nobody fails, that our students are successful in spite (of the fire) -- and there is no reason why that shouldn't be.'' Earlier in the morning, Mrs. Daniels spoke to the Primary Four, Five and Six classes as they assembled in the hall of the Opportunity Workshop for the first time.

Several parents were also on hand as the principal discussed safety and bus transportation.

She then asked the students if they had any questions.

"Where are the bathrooms?'' was first, followed by "Can the boys play soccer?'' and "Is there a playground?'' The upper years now occupy three of the Opportunity Workshop rooms and a makeshift classroom at the back of the hall.

"The Ministry has been fantastic,'' said Mrs. Daniels. "They have responded to our needs in a very humanistic manner. They have cut through bureaucracy and gone right to the need.

"They really have determined that the school will go on and we have what we need.'' Primary Five teacher Genelle Allen agreed the transition had gone smoothly.

"We're trying to make it as comfortable as possible. The carpet makes it feel really homey,'' she said.

"The unfortunate situation made the teachers bond a bit more than usual,'' she added.

"Our classes are air conditioned, everyone is getting along well,'' said Head Girl Shawnee James. "Our principal and teachers have really helped a lot.'' And Head Boy Adam Rego said: "We've got new desks and books...it's really nice because I like the small classrooms because it's not so noisy and it's easy to get everyone's attention.'' Teachers are still determining what additional items are needed for the temporary school, but Mrs. Daniels said books were in short supply as the fire completely destroyed the library.

Despite the success of the emergency response and placement, 11-year-old Sir Barton had one simple desire.

"I'm looking forward to going back to our old school,'' he said.

Graphic file name: LANEDEV Sir Barton: Hoping to return