Welcome to Downlands College

Downlands College is proud to announce that our Rugby First XV has been selected to represent Australia at the 2026 Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament in Fukuoka, Japan, an extraordinary honour extended to only one school per country. For our players, this is more than a tournament; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to grow, compete, and represent their country at the pinnacle of youth rugby. Participating in the Sanix tournament places our students among the world’s elite, opening doors to new friendships, unforgettable experiences, and personal growth. They will not only test their skills against the best, but also immerse themselves in Japanese culture, build international connections, and develop the values of teamwork, leadership, and global citizenship. “The Downlands College Rugby program is unlike any other in Queensland and perhaps Australia. We don’t compete in a formal league; instead, we embrace a unique approach, playing as many fixtures as possible throughout the year and seeking opportunities for growth, whether nationally or internationally,” says Mr Domenico Cullen, First XV Coach. “This philosophy has led to extraordinary achievements and being selected to represent Australia in two of the past three years is an immense honour, not only for our program, but for the entire College. It offers our players a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in global tournaments, testing themselves against some of the world’s top schools and players. These experiences demand adaptability, adjusting to unfamiliar environments, cuisines, traditions, and diverse playing styles in a short timeframe. This level of challenge fosters growth that simply cannot be replicated in local competitions. For us, it is a privilege and an honour, and we remain committed to representing Downlands College with pride on every stage.” Join us as we celebrate the heart, spirit, and ambition of our players. By supporting Downlands College on this global stage, you uplift not only a team, but an entire community striving for excellence.

At Downlands College Rural Centre, you might come across some raised garden beds that look a little different from the usual veggie patch. Beneath these mounds, something special is quietly taking place. Our Year 11 Rural Operations students recently began a hügelkultur project, exploring whether alternative gardening methods can promote sustainable food production in our local climate. Hügelkultur (pronounced “hoo-gell-culture”) is an age-old agricultural practice rooted in German and Eastern European traditions. The term means “mound culture” or “hill culture,” reflecting its distinct shape. The process involves building up layers of decaying wood, organic material, soil, and compost to create a living, breathing garden bed. Over time, this mound enriches the soil, nurtures the plants above, and exemplifies the beauty of working in harmony with nature’s cycles. It’s a method that values renewal and resourcefulness. Guided by their teacher, Mr Will Mann, the students scouted the paddock for old logs, branches, and woody debris, to form the foundation of their mounds. They then layered sticks, leaf litter, and green garden waste, collected from around the school. Each layer brought different textures and nutrients to the mix, creating the perfect environment for decomposition. Finally, the mounds were topped with a rich layer of soil and compost, locking in moisture and providing an ideal space for planting vegetables. Through teamwork and care, the class transformed an empty patch of earth into a living garden bed that will serve the College for seasons to come. The hügelkultur project is more than a lesson in alternative gardening. It’s an opportunity for students to learn about self-sufficiency, environmental care, and the value of shared effort. "I wanted the students to be given an opportunity to try a different way of producing food to what they might have seen in the past. Simple ideas like this are hopefully going to help with sustainability in the future," Mr Mann says. And through hands-on experience in Agriculture crop establishment, our Rural Operations students are learning skills that go beyond the textbook. "Taking what was just a bare patch of dirt and transforming it into a thriving garden, hopefully, is giving the students a unique opportunity to do a full establishment of a crop. They are also learning alternative ways to produce a similar product to what is conventionally used in Australia, and hopefully, inspiring them with a new way of looking at the needs of a changing industry and growing into thoughtful stewards of the land." Downlands College is dedicated to supporting the future of farming. Our renowned Agricultural Science program is a standout feature of our curriculum, offering students hands-on learning opportunities at our 14-hectare on-site farm, the College Rural Centre. The Downlands Agricultural curriculum combines high standards with practical experience, inspiring students to excel in both Agricultural Science and Vocational Education programs. With a focus on real-world learning, our students gain valuable skills in farming, sustainability, and agricultural innovation.