Downlands College is an independent, Catholic, coeducational, day and boarding school for Years 4-12. Established in 1931 by the Sacred Heart (MSC) Missionaries, our heart-centered approach promotes academic excellence, encouraging students to integrate faith with life and develop a love of learning. It is a place where one's heart can find a home - where students can grow and flourish as they develop a sense of truth, goodness, and beauty, and so be ready to go out and to make a difference in the world.
Downlands offer one of the broadest curricula on the Darling Downs, providing the widest choice of secondary school study options. By supporting both university and apprenticeship pathways, the College caters to everyone, including siblings, with different strengths and abilities. As school should be a place to learn about life, our coeducational school reflects the world in which we live.
Downlands College has a rich history, and it continues to be characterized by its strong Catholic ethos and MSC spirit, which underpins all we do. At Downlands, we acknowledge and embrace our students, staff, and the broader school community's diverse heritage, cultures, and backgrounds. The development of healthy, life-giving relationships forms the cornerstone of a Downlands education, and our unique MSC heritage ensures that the Downlands journey is intertwined with an 'education of the heart.' A focus on relationships allows our core values of love, courage, compassion, understanding, and humility to be woven through all our interactions.
Widely recognized as a leading coeducational day and boarding school, Downlands College is known as the 'school of choice' and a school 'where your heart finds a home.' At Downlands, there is a niche for every student. We journey with each student academically and pastorally to provide the best possible school and post-school pathway. Opportunities include a comprehensive curriculum offering (academic and Vocational Education and Training), sport, performing arts, agriculture, leadership, social justice projects, and community service.
Our goal is to have happy students who perform to their personal best in all situations and take responsibility for their learning and relationships. This includes student presentation, excellence in academic pursuits, co-curricular involvement, treating peers and community members with respect and kindness, and having a sense of humor. We will continue to ensure the wider community recognizes that a Downlands educational journey will develop selfless leaders who advocate for values-based communities. Our distinctive culture is informed and guided by our beliefs and commitment to community, personal growth, relationships, spirituality, and individual learning journeys.
Our buildings' historical character, incorporated with modern facilities, our stunning gardens, expansive grounds, and the smiling, friendly students and staff, can provide you with an insight into a Downlands education. We invite you to come and experience the Downlands difference.
Downlands College is an independent, Catholic, coeducational, day and boarding school with a long tradition of heart-centered and values-based education. Owned and conducted by the Sacred Heart (MSC) Missionaries with the assistance of a deeply committed group of teachers and support staff, Downlands has a long history of academic, sporting, and cultural achievement and is the school of choice for many families.
At Downlands, you are part of a family built on strong traditions. Strong values and Senior role models encourage students to make wise choices. We want students to do well at school and in life by being good people - strong in mind, spirit, and faith. Our heart-centered approach promotes academic excellence, encouraging students to integrate faith with life, and develop a love of learning. As school should be a place to learn about life, our coeducational College reflects the world in which we live. Downlands education prepares students for the world beyond the classroom, academically, socially, and morally. Visit our beautiful campus to understand what makes Downlands the school of choice.
At Downlands, you are part of a family built on strong traditions. Strong values and Senior role models encourage students to make wise choices.
At Downlands, we want our students to do well at school and in life by being good people - strong in mind, spirit, and faith. With a history reaching back to the mid 19th century in France, the MSC Ethos at Downlands distinctively focuses on the "Spirituality of the Heart," which offers a listening and compassionate heart through relationships in the community rather than fixed answers and dogmatic solutions.
Downlands College is owned and conducted by the Sacred Heart (MSC) Missionaries, alongside a committed group of teachers and support staff. The College was opened in 1931 as a boarding school for boys with a total enrolment of 68. Today, it is fully coeducational, with more than 850 day and boarding students from all parts of Queensland and beyond.
The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) believe that nothing is more important than the saving power of God's love. The MSC believes that if people experience the love, gentleness, kindness, and compassion of God, they will have hope, meaning, and purpose in their lives.
The initials MSC come from the Latin: Missionarii Sacratissimi Cordis. The Priests and Brothers of the Sacred Heart missionaries are known as MSC (from the Latin, Missionarii Sacratissimi Cordis).
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