ABOUT DOWNLANDS COLLEGE... 

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.

Choosing the right school for your child is a complex decision. “What type of learning environment will offer my child high educational standards?
What school will offer enriched academic experiences? Does the school have a reputation for academic excellence? Will my child thrive in a single-gender or a co-educational setting?” These are all questions you may ask yourself.

A national survey conducted in 2005–2006 reveals that 79% of Canadian parents with children in independent co-ed schools heartily agree that these schools better reflect the diversity of our society and 79% believe they better prepare students to eventually enter the workforce.

Canadian research reveals that students at independent co-ed schools feel comfortable about who they are and have a healthy and positive
attitude and self-image. Students also recognize that a co-ed environment reflects the world around them once they get beyond the classroom. 

In the same research study, 84% of students attending independent co-ed schools responded that they feel confident expressing their views in the presence of members of the opposite sex. Collaboration between the sexes in the classroom helps develop confidence in students so that they feel comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions in any situation, and excel at university and beyond as leaders.
For more detailed information on this survey please go to: http://www.ridley.on.ca/commoninc/pushpage/180/default.asp?volume_id=10564&mode=preview and download 'Benefits of Coeducation' 

New Sports Science Centre Update Stage 1 of this much awaited building should be completed in early April. The new centre will accommodate 2 full-sized netball courts, consisting of multi-marked courts, specialist teaching rooms, weights and change rooms with a function room and kitchen upstairs overlooking the courts.
The Sports Science Centre, when completed, will be a first class venue attracting 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.