Boarding At Downlands

co-educational Boarding from YEAR 7

Downlands boarding is more than a place to stay—it’s a community where young people grow, thrive, and create lifelong connections. From Year 7 to Year 12, our boarding program provides a home away from home for up to 300 students.


Located in Toowoomba, Queensland’s largest regional city, Downlands has been the school of choice since 1931 for students from urban and rural Queensland, from all over Australia and the world. A fully co-educational boarding school since 1993, allowing siblings to stay together, live, and grow up alongside each other, maintaining familial bonds, creating mutual friendships across multiple Year levels and forming memories recalled throughout a lifetime.


At Downlands, boarding is designed to prioritise your child’s happiness, learning, community involvement, and personal growth. With five Boarding Houses, our dedicated and caring staff—many of whom live on-site—create a supportive environment that prioritises personal development, resilience, patience, and lasting connections.


Beyond the classroom, Downlands’ boarding program integrates academic tutoring, health and wellbeing services, spiritual formation, and adventure recreation. Our boarding experience is designed to inspire confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging, preparing students for success both at school and in the future.


Enquire about Boarding
Two senior girls boarding students read a book on a bed.

Living at Downlands

Discover the vibrant community of Downlands Boarding, where students thrive in a supportive environment that fosters growth, independence, and lifelong friendships. Explore how our boarding experience combines care, connection, and opportunity to create a true home away from home.

Life at Downlands

Boarder Wellbeing

Explore how Downlands prioritises boarder wellbeing through a nurturing environment that supports mental, emotional, and social growth. Learn about the programs and care initiatives designed to ensure every boarder feels valued, supported, and empowered.

Boarder Wellbeing
Student looking back to their friend smiling.
Two senior girls boarding students read a book on a bed.

Scholarships

Downlands has a range of scholarships available to support students who demonstrate talent and a commitment to our values. These scholarships recognise excellence across various fields, including academics, culture, and sport. We encourage our boarding students, who form an integral part of our vibrant community, to apply for the Excellence Scholarship. Find out more by contacting Enrolments at [email protected] or call us (07) 4690 9500.

Scholarships

Downlands is the only Prep to Year 12, co-educational, Boarding School in Australia to be accredited by the  Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA). This accreditation recognises Downlands' commitment to providing exceptional facilities, fostering best-practice across the entire boarding sector, and providing enriched living experience that creates  opportunities for our students to succeed beyond expectations, academically and personally. 

Our commitment is to our students and our families. As well as full-time (7 days) and weekly (5 days) boarding, we also offer several casual and flexible boarding arrangements.


Casual boarding offers flexible overnight stays, including meals, study routines, and access to sports and cultural activities.


The Extended Day Program offers the opportunity for students to stay at the College until 8:10pm to utilise the after-school service or even sleep over at the school for one or two nights. Taking advantage of this program does require advanced notice.

Living with friends creates a sense of connection like no other. Each boarding house strives to create a sense of family, fostered by weekend social activities and communal breakfasts and dinners. Students are encouraged to socialise outside of their own boarding house and participate in fun weekend with their siblings and with their friends.

At Downlands, we are dedicated to nurturing resilient, capable, and well-rounded students, guided by the principles of the MSC and the enduring values instilled by our staff. Our mission is to empower our day and boarding students to grow into confident, inspiring adults, ready to excel in any path they choose.

view our Boarding Handbook

a note from our head of boarding

At Downlands College, boarding is not a separate experience—it’s an integral part of the whole College Community.

Our policies and practices are designed to ensure that boarders are fully immersed in the life of the College, fostering a sense of belonging and unity. This inclusive approach allows boarding students to thrive academically, socially, and personally, while contributing to the culture and spirit of Downlands College.


What sets Downlands boarding students apart is their character. Assisted by a dedicated Boarding Staff Team the boarders are encouraged and mentored towards becoming warm, welcoming, and grounded in values that reflect the MSC charism—compassion, forgiveness, humility, and hospitality. Our boarders are encouraged to build relationships that are not only meaningful but enduring, embracing diversity and supporting one another with generosity and good humour. They are confident communicators, passionate learners, and loyal friends. In the Downlands Boarding Community, lifelong friendships are formed, and young people grow into principled, empathetic individuals ready to make a positive impact in the world.


Mr Ian Bulkin, Head of Boarding

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A red heart with a cross and the word msc on it.