They said it couldn't be done. Move an eleven teacher school from A to B in twelve hours. Or maybe that should read from B to B... Ballyraine to Bonagee, that is. That was the challenge faced by the community that is Ballyraine National School last Thursday.The relocation involved a shift from the ground level of the original school to the second level of the new accommodation. As any seasoned climber will testify, the greatest ascent is achieved one step at a time... and anyone present last Thursday night will tell you there was no shortage of steps! There was no shortage of boxes either... or tables... or chairs. And what about the filing cabinets, storage units, computer desks? As an army of ants moves inexorably towards its goal, the community of Ballyraine National School pulled, pushed and laughed together until the task was done.

In order to make way for the €1.7 million development due to commence on the site of the original school on April 24, it was necessary to move lock, stock and some very fetching flower-bedecked barrels to temporary accommodation at Donegal Farm Machinery, Bonagee.
Nervous, but ready for the assault, the team assembled at base camp during the early hours of Thursday morning. A dedicated staff packed the last of the "provisions" that would be needed for survival over the coming months. An equally dedicated group of parents placed the remainder in safe storage to await the return of the expedition. After their labours, all re-fuelled on pots of hot tea and endless trays of sandwiches provided by other vital members of the team. As the designated hour arrived, so did the vans... and trucks... and tractors... and trailers. And a new team... hardened by their day's labours and ready for more! It was nearly time... time to leave base camp.

Back at Ballyraine all was quiet... except for an emergency meeting of the Amalgamated Union of Mice, worried about the expected food shortages in the months ahead. In Bonagee, it was anything but quiet. Having i reached the summit ahead of schedule, the team were in high spirits. Champagne corks popped and the ubiquitous tea and sandwiches made another appearance. Austin Stewart, whose team had prepared Bonagee so well for this assault, heaved a sigh of relief. Later, bodies tired but spirits high.staff, parents and neighbours drifted home, each aware that something special had been achieved this night. Whether in Ballyraine or Bonagee, the future looks bright for this school.
They said it couldn't be done. They were wrong!