HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 DVDs are available at office for $10. Ring Admin on 07 4690 9500 or call in to the office. Only a limited number left...

ABOUT DOWNLANDS COLLEGE... 

Every day is Open Day at Downlands College!  If you would like to come and have a look at the facilities and opportunities we offer, please call us on 07 4690 9500 to arrange a convenient time...we look forward to seeing you at Downlands.

Downlands College is a Catholic coeducational day and boarding school for students from Years 8 to 12. Owned and conducted by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, Downlands was opened in 1931 as a boarding school for boys with a total enrolment of 68.  Today it accommodates 530 day and 220 residential students from all parts of Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and beyond.

Downlands motto is Fortes in Fide - Strong in Faith. Our faith is based on a belief in and a commitment to a loving God. We value truth, learning and respect for the individual as essential features of the education process.

Situated in a superb location in the regional city of Toowoomba at the centre of a prosperous rural community, Downlands provides students with access to a full range of facilities often found only in large cities, yet the College is in a peaceful setting of beautiful avenues, parks and gardens.

Boarding students at Downlands travel vast distances to attend our College - from Darwin in the Northern Territory through to Armidale in the south and the many towns and cities in between, from Brisbane to Kowanyama, Thargomindah and Longreach. Our many day students either live in our lovely city or travel in from Allora to the South, Crows Nest and beyond in the North, Rosewood in the East and West to near Dalby. Some of these students use casual boarding from time to time to reduce the amount of travel each day and to take advantage of supervised study at night.

Testimonial I

"Downlands is a great school! Over the last five years, our son has grown from a shy grade eighter into a confident, well-adjusted young man ready to make his mark in the world.  Downlands provided the learning environment for him to excel academically and, just as importantly, it provided the nurturing, confidence-building surrounds for him to develop his musical interests.  He was also able to participate in a number of sporting activities and was encouraged and assisted to do his best. When we were looking at potential schools for him to attend, we were told that they ‘would take care of him’.  And that is exactly what occurred, academically, musically and sporting wise, and also as a maturing teenager. We would highly commend Downlands to anyone wanting a well-rounded schooling environment for their child to become the best person they can be, and after all, that is what we all want for our children."            Sue & Joe Scanlan

Coeducation versus Single Sex Schools

Students attending coeducational schools are provided with an invaluable opportunity to understand and appreciate the perspectives boys and girls bring to a school - and to recognise the sheer complexity of gender.

Downlands students have the opportunity to interact with a large range of individuals of both sexes, ensuring that they understand that gender is only one of many determinants of identity. Importantly, boys and girls develop good friendships over the years and learn to appreciate each other’s strengths, without feeling self-conscious. Recognising how society ‘constructs’ gender, they learn to discard sexist attitudes and to realise their own individuality within a mixed sex school setting.

Whether you feel aligned to single sex schools or coeducation, it has to be accepted that co-education recognises that society is made up of individuals, both male and female, living jointly as members of communities. This points to the undeniable fact that one of the core purposes of schooling is socialisation and that it is more naturally and fully achieved within the context of boys and girls being educated together.

What we gain from our education are ‘patterns’ – patterns of behaviour and patterns of interaction, and these patterns make up who we are. Schools can do much to develop those patterns of interaction between boys and girls in the formative years and these internalised strategies will stand students in good stead for life after school.

The social development of our students, including the formation of appropriate values and attitudes, are a prerequisite for the ongoing wellbeing of our society. It therefore appears anachronistic to opt for a segregated form of schooling in order to prepare young people for our ever changing society.

Testimonial II

"Our daughter moved to Downlands in her final semester of Year 9. She had previously been at an all girls school. We made the move with some trepidation as it is hard to leave your comfort zone even when it no longer seems to meet your needs.
We have found Downlands to be a caring school with a great sense of community.  Our daughter seemed at home right from the start. She is thriving, happy and committed to achieving her best.
At Downlands, image is important but not everything. Success is valued but not above people. There is an expectation to do well but without intense pressure.
Yes, Downlands is a 'Go for It' place but it has managed to achieve a balance between expectation and nurture in a firm yet friendly, challenging but fun and overall caring environment that is full of opportunities."    Robyn Hanlon

Sports Centre

Stage 1 of the Sports Centre which accommodates 2 full-sized multi-marked netball courts, weights and change rooms, is now being fully utilised by students. The centre is a first class venue which will attract the very best coaching and competition opportunities to enhance academic and physical pathways for our Downlands students.

Floor Plan for Ground Floor
Floor Plan for Level 1

Please consider making a donation so plans can begin for Stage 2.  Donations to the Foundation, which are tax deductible, can be made by pressing the Donation button at the top of the page, sending a cheque to the Downlands Foundation at PO Box 250, Toowoomba or telephoning in your credit card details to 07 4690 9500.