Gryphon Times | 13/02/26
principal's message
Welcome back to Term 1. Much of the first few weeks has focused on building community at Downlands. This has involved spending time welcoming new staff, students and families and ensuring all felt the family nature of a Downlands education. Sharing a meal with our new boarding students and families was a major highlight of the new year.
Celebrating academic successes with our Year 12 cohort of 2025 was a wonderful evening. It was fantastic to hear of students’ pathways and plans for the future. Congratulations to William Murtagh as Dux of the College (Father George Butler MSC Prize) and Myles Farrington as Runner-Up to the Dux (Kevin Hanley Prize).
Our focus on community has continued for parents with engagement nights at the College and through the P&F who have held connection evenings off-site. Daily the relaunch of My Downlands has focussed on providing a clearer and more informative communication experience for parents, this will continue to be refined through feedback and user experience.
Week 2 saw three wonderful community events. The Secondary Swimming Carnival, the Junior Swimming Carnival and the Opening Eucharist which incorporated the missioning of the College’s new Chaplain, Father Chung, and the leadership induction and commissioning for Year 12 leaders and students. These three events clearly showed the spirit, family and leadership of students and staff. Father Chung captured how students approached these events perfectly in his homily.
“By the end of his journey, the boy realized that to become successful does not mean to gain something important, but to become a loving person. You come to Downlands in search of knowledge. You come hoping for success. You come wanting to build a good future. Education is not only a gift but also about forming your heart, which should be filled with love.”
Homily FROM the opening eucharist
The video tells a story about a boy who wants to become a monk. In order to become a monk, the boy has to finish the final task and prove to himself that he can be a monk. But by the end of his journey, the boy realised that to become successful does not mean to gain something important, but to become a loving person.
You come to Downlands searching for knowledge. You come hoping for success. You come wanting to build a good future. Education is a not only a gift, it is also about forming your heart, which should be filled with love.
That’s what Jesus said in the Gospel: “Love one another as I have loved you.”
Notice Jesus doesn’t say, “Love people who are easy to love.”
He doesn’t say, “Love people who are like you.”
But, He says, “Love one another as I have loved you.”
And how does Jesus love? He is patient. He forgives. He notices people others ignore.
Jesus goes even further: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
- standing up for someone being left out
- choosing kindness instead of sarcasm
- forgiving instead of holding a grudge
- helping when it costs your time or comfort
God does not measure our faith by what we collect; God measures our faith by how we love.
A Brilliant Start to the Year for the junior school
The Junior School year has launched with tremendous energy and joy! On the first day, students arrived bubbling with excitement and big smiles.
The fun continued with our Year 2 students' enthusiasm to learn about natural, managed and man-made resources and how to care for them sustainably. They have established fish tanks and created vegetable and fairy gardens in their classrooms, bringing immense joy and hands-on learning.
Our Year 6 students have enjoyed a 3-day camp at Lake Moogerah with many making a ‘catch of the day’ in their fishing expeditions. Students enjoyed canoeing, boating, tubing and growing their leadership skills through team building and activities.
A special highlight was the visit from the Brisbane Lions, who inspired our young Gryphons with footy skill sessions, autographs, and motivational stories.
ReheArsals are in full swing for the COLLEGE Musical of MAMMA MIA!
Excitement is in the air as rehearsals begin for the 2026 Downlands College Musical, Mamma Mia! Students are hard at work perfecting their performances, bringing energy, talent, and passion to the stage as they prepare for what promises to be a spectacular show.
Tickets are now on sale at the Empire Theatre and are selling fast, so don’t miss your chance and secure your seat today.
With a talented cast and backstage crew and months of preparation ahead, this year’s musical is set to be a highlight of the College calendar.
Incredible opportunity for downlands dance
Downlands Dancers recently had the incredible opportunity to work with past student, Brent Street (alumni), and soon-to-be Royal Caribbean dancer Imogen Rowbotham on their Australian Dance Festival routine.
Students worked tirelessly to learn complex, style-specific choreography as they prepared to perform on a national stage. The group will compete in the School Division, Resonate, at the Australian Dance Festival in Sydney this September. Extensive preparations will continue alongside regular Dance Troupe and Musical rehearsals, making for a very busy year for Downlands Dance.
We thank Imogen for sharing her wisdom, energy, and exceptional choreography with our dancers, and we wish her every success as she embarks on her professional dance career.
BOARDING NEWS
This year's Boarding Activities began with our Boarding Bonanza, an evening packed with carnival rides, mini golf, photobooth fun, pool games, and friendly poolside volleyball matches. It was a fantastic way for boarders to connect, laugh, and create lasting memories as the year kicked off.
The fun continued with a weekend trip to the Gold Coast. Students enjoyed some retail therapy at Pacific Fair before heading to the beach to soak up the sun and relax by the waves.
These events set the stage for a great year ahead, filled with opportunities for our boarders to bond, grow, and make unforgettable memories together.
swimming carnivals
wrap-up
The 2026 Swimming Carnivals delivered an exciting and memorable day of competition, with outstanding individual performances, new records, and strong house spirit across both Junior and Secondary Schools.
Junior School
Piperon claimed the Overall Winning House title, while Vandel took out the highly competitive House Spirit award, showing fantastic energy and support throughout the day.
Secondary School
Vandel dominated the Secondary School Interhouse carnival to take the Overall Winning House title. Jouet were deserved winners of the House Spirit award, bringing incredible atmosphere and encouragement from the sidelines.
A huge congratulations to every swimmer who competed, to the house captains and supporters who created such a vibrant atmosphere, and especially to the record breakers who delivered incredible personal bests.
Well done to all involved — this year’s carnival was a fantastic showcase of talent, determination, and school spirit!
Travel Safety Reminder
As we commence the new year, we would like to take this opportunity to remind all our students about the importance of travel safety and making good decisions when navigating roads and public spaces.
We ask that all students adhere to the necessary road rules, use pedestrian crossings where available, and remain mindful of oncoming traffic, whether road or rail. Recently, we have received several reports of students not paying adequate attention or making rushed decisions when exiting cars, crossing roads or railway lines, or driving around the College in the designated school zone.
The safety of our students is paramount, and we appreciate your support in reinforcing these expectations at home.
KEY DATES FOR TERM ONE
Please refer to the College Calendar on My Downlands to plan ahead.
Junior School
Shrove Tuesday - Pancakes sold a first break. (1 for $3 and 2 for $5)
Ash Wednesday Liturgy - 9am, Wednesday 18 February (Jules Hall)
Year 3 Immersion classes start - Thursday 19 February
Year 6 Leadership Day - Friday 20 February
Junior School Assembly - 8:50am, Friday 27 February (Jules Hall)
Year 6 Leadership Ceremony - 9am, Friday 6 March (Graham Centre)
Twilight on Main (Community Dinner) - Saturday 7 March
Years 3 & 5 NAPLAN - Wednesday 11 to Monday 23 March
Grandparents Day - Friday 20th March
QCIS Gala Day (Yrs 5 & 6) - Wednesday 25 March
Primary Schools Rugby 7s - Thursday 26 March
Toowoomba Show Holiday - Friday 27 March
Interhouse Cross Country (5-9yrs) - Monday 30 March
Junior School Parent Teacher Interviews - Monday 30 March
Junior School Assembly - 8:50am, Tuesday 31 March (Jules Hall)
Junior School Parent Teacher Interviews - Tuesday 31 March
Interhouse Cross Country (10–18yrs) - Wednesday 1 April
Term 1 concludes at 3:00pm - Wednesday 1 April
Secondary School
Shrove Tuesday - Pancakes sold a first break. (1 for $3 and 2 for $5)
Ash Wednesday Liturgy - 9am, Wednesday 18 February (Jules Hall)
Year 12 Biology Field trip - Wednesday 18 February
QCIS Swimming - Wednesday 18 February
Take Note Performing Arts Camp - 20 to 22 March
Year 7 P&F Connection event - Saturday 21 February
Year 7 Camp - 23 to 25 February
Twilight on Main (Community Dinner) - Saturday 7 March
Year 11 Assessment starts - Tuesday 10 March
Years 7 & 9 NAPLAN - Wednesday 11 to Monday 23 March
Year 10 vaccinations - Friday 13 March
Year 8 Retreat - Tuesday 17 March
Year 10 Retreat - Wednesday 18 March
Grandparents Day - Friday 20th March
Year 12 P&F Connection event - Sunday 22 March
Years 7, 8, 9, 10 & 12 Assessment starts - Monday 23 March
Toowoomba Show Holiday - Friday 27 March
Year 7 Tradition & Spirit Day - Tuesday 31 March
Lenten Liturgy - Wednesday 1 April
Interhouse Cross Country (10–18yrs) - Wednesday 1 April
Term 1 concludes at 3:00pm - Wednesday 1 April
Withdrawal of enrolment notice:
Clause Section 7 of the Conditions of Enrolment which states: Changes in Enrolment 7.1 Parents shall give the Principal notice, in writing, should your family status change in relation to the contractual circumstances and financial liability for your child’s enrolment. 7.2 If you wish to change your child’s boarder/day status, you must give the College ten (10) weeks' advance notice prior to the commencement of the next term, in writing and addressed to the Principal. Failure to do so may result in increased fees and charges to complete the transition. 7.3 If you wish to withdraw the enrolment of your child from the College you must give the Principal ten (10) weeks’ advance notice prior to the commencement of the next term, in writing and addressed to the Principal. Failure to meet these conditions renders you liable for the payment of one term’s tuition, levies and/or boarding fees, and other fees and charges prior to the final day.
