MSC Education -  Back to school 2025 for our four colleges

At Downlands

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Programs at Monivae

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Principal

and Chaplain at Chevalier

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Daramalan alumni at work in the school

Most of us enjoyed a lovely break, but the Pacific Maintenance crew worked exceptionally hard over the holidays to remodel the Sharpe Wing, install air conditioning, and rebuild the dance studios in time for the first day of term. With nearly everyone on the team being a former student, we can certainly expect their best efforts!

A significant Australian who taught at Downlands College, poet Bruce Dawe

Donald Bruce Dawe AO (15 February 1930 – 1 April 2020) was an Australian poet and academic. Some critics consider him one of the most influential Australian poets of all time. Dawe received numerous poetry awards in Australia and was named an Officer of the Order of Australia. He taught literature in universities for over 30 years. Dawe's poetry collection, Sometimes Gladness, sold over 100,000 copies in several printings.

Bruce Dawe was born in 1930 in Fitzroy, Victoria   during 1954, Dawe converted to Catholicism. In 1956, Dawe returned to Melbourne, where he worked as a postman for two years and as a self-employed gardener. In 1959, Dawe joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). In 1966, Dawe was posted to Malaysia for six months.

Leaving the RAAF in 1968, Dawe began teaching at Downlands College, a Catholic boys college in Toowoomba, Queensland.

After teaching English and history at the secondary level for two and a half years, he became a tertiary lecturer in English literature at the Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education (DDIAE) in Toowoomba.

Dawe wrote poetry about ordinary people in modern Australia, their interests in cars, novels, films and other popular items. He also wrote about abortion, environmental degradation, and the treatment of the Australian Aboriginal community.

In discussing Dawe's poetry, John Kinsella remarked: Always behind Dawe’s seemingly playful banter with us, his readers and public, is his commitment to sympathy and connection with the less empowered, the disenfranchised, downtrodden, neglected and exploited.

Dawe died in Caloundra, Queensland, on 1 April 2020, at age 90.

He was invited by the editor of Compass Theology Review in 1981 to contribute a reflection on his image of God. He declined to write but sent a poem instead. (And the editor thought he might find a place in a footnote that he was Dear Father…..). You might enjoy the poem.

MY EXPERIENCE OF GOD

Dear Father, I’m afraid I’m going to have to pass

on your kind invitation to write an article on my experience

of God (which is, for me, like being asked to write about

what it’s like to be good at maths or the world best

ocarina-player). Please don’t get me wrong

- I value the compliment, as I would an invite

to a friend’s wedding in Darjeeling,

or to see the sunrise over the Vale of Chamouni

– but these, too, are great things that never happened.

For years now I have sat around waiting for just such

a religious experience as you propose – even pretending disinterest,

affecting agnosticism as a further bait and lure

to the real happening; I have tried sin in a

modestly Augustinian way, practised humility

until I just about had it off perfect, felt the soft nap

of mortality as housewives in a haberdasher’s shop

finger gently the proferred velour, noted, here at the end carnal edge

of night, the meteor-showers of goodness

pelting the ozone layer of the world’s evil,

and the Christ of a thousand flags

enter the box-canyon knowing there is no way out but out,

and being immeasurably cheered by the perpetual recurrence

of the performance…

But – you know how it is with some people

- when one special thing comes along

they are out of town for the day and the vision of the godhead

goes to the bloke next door 

- or they’re striking a match and the Burning Bush

and its voice of election

finds a better witness in Moses…

A Downlands College Occasion

Fr Vince Carroll – DPSA past President, Bishop Ken Howell - DPSA Patron, Mrs Terrie Wendland – DPSA Vice President, Fr Will Brennan - recently ordained past student, Mr Dan Houghton – DPSA President, Deacon Andrew O’Brien – past student and Past captain ’76, Fr Stephen Hackett MSC Provincial and DPSA Patron, Mr Stephen Koch Downlands Principal and DPSA Patron.

Recently the above were joined by another 7 guests to enjoy a meal of celebration and Get-to-know-you for the Patrons of the DPSA and Fr Will and Deacon O’Brien. It was beautifully catered for by Mr Ben and Mrs Katie Wright and two lovely student servers. The guests agreed it could well become a yearly event honouring some past students who had done well recently.

Fr Vince Carroll MSC 

Downlands College, MSC Education today

Downlands Performing Arts PROMS on Saturday 19 October, starting at 5pm on the Downlands Front Lawn. This free event is open to all Downlands families, friends, and the local community. Come and be dazzled by our talented performing arts students as they showcase their passion, from dance troupes and instrumental ensembles to various choir groups.

Did you know that each week, our Downlands students volunteer to make and serve breakfast for the students at a school in our neighbourhood? It’s a small act of kindness that goes a long way in building up community beyond the Downlands gates. We are proud of our students for their dedication and for being ‘good shepherds’ to the younger students in our community.

We're proud to be a sponsor and the host of Mates on Mats – A Mindful Movement Marathon for Mental Health. Join us from 26-27 October at our Jules Hall for 24 hours of mindful movement in the form of yoga.

Our Year 11 student, Lori, recently explored the realm of science at the SPARQ-ed Immersion Program. This biomedical educational initiative is designed for school students and is a partnership between the Department of Education and the Translational Research Institute.

Starting with skills training and a workshop, Lori and her peers delved into two captivating assays: EGF and Tfn uptake, along with Immunofluorescence staining in the following workshop days. The highlight of the experience? A visit to the TRI Core Facilities, where the students got to see the impressive results of their efforts.

The Downlands Dance Showcase is an event that marks the end of an entire year of dance performances and competitions. You will get to witness the extraordinary talent and hard work of our Prep to Year 12 Dance Troupes, Secondary Curriculum dance items, and some of the most talented student soloists.

William Brennan: From Downlands Student to Priest

William Brennan (2016), a significant milestone in his life - his presbyteral ordination in Townsville in June 2024. Ahead of his ordination, we reached out to William to find out more about his journey from Downlands Student to Priest. Here is what he had to say.

Q. What are some of your memories of your time at Downlands?

One of the things that I fondly remember is the sense of welcome that I felt. Arriving at the  beginning of Year 11 after being at only one

other school in my life was a big adjustment, but my first day at Downlands gave me a real sense of being a part of the Downlands community.

In terms of specific memories, lots of little snapshots come to mind: cramming in study the morning of a maths exam up in the library, starting rugby pre-season on a somewhat-dusty Lords Oval, heading down to old Cody for our study period, exploring McKenna Hall after it was renovated, hymn singing practice with Fr Paul in the Chapel, early morning male choir and band practices, and afternoon cricket or rugby training. All of these snapshots are little things that remind me of my Downlands experience and I smile thinking about them all.

Q. How did Downlands shape you, and contribute to your path into priesthood?

I think one of the biggest ways that my time at Downlands contributed to my path into priesthood was that I was invited to broaden my horizons and step into new experiences.

Opportunities like helping tutor refugee children at Toowoomba Refugee and Migrant Services (TRAMS), participating in a leadership camp near Murphy’s Creek, and encountering students from many different backgrounds helped me to grow in my understanding of myself and of the different situations of others. These are both central to the life and ministry of a priest.

Q. What are you most looking forward to in the future?

It might sound a bit plain but really, I’m just looking forward to being in a position where I might be able to help people. I don’t know where life will lead me (like all of us) but I am happy to keep trying to follow where God calls me and try to help those who I come across.

Paris Olympics, Silver – the Downlands Connection

Photo: Equestrian Life

Vince Carrol MSC writes from Downlands College:

I suppose you all know that we have our first Olympian Medallist – in Chris Burton from Brymaroo, Silver for Equestrian. He was the Equestrian Captain when here in ‘99.

Olympic History

London 2012

Rio 2016

Tokyo 2020

Paris 2024

Christopher's Story

From the Australian Olympics Committee site

Chris Burton grew up on a grain farm near Toowoomba in Queensland. On his third birthday he got his first pony, Clancy, and with him he began his riding.

At six his eventing future kicked off with a new pony called Spice, using bricks and broomsticks, he’d build jumps for the pair to practice over.

Chris did his first EFA event in 1994 on Just Joshin. Shortly after Chris started riding Deo Juvante and soon enough the two rose through to 5****. 2008 saw Burton win 5* in Adelaide on Newsprint.

In 2010, Chris made his international debut for Australia at the Equestrian Games in Kentucky, finishing midfield in the event on his horse, Holstein Park Leilani. Chris soon became recognised as an established elite rider, and went on to compete on the Australian, British and European Eventing and Showjumping circuits.

Chris’s Olympic debut followed in 2012 at the London Games, where he finished 16th in the individual and sixth in the team event.

In 2015, Chris placed fourth at Luhmuhlen with Graf Liberty. He also went on to place third and fourth at Burghley on TS Jamaimo and Haruzac. 2015 also saw Chris take out the world record for the lowest ever finishing score at a three-day event aboard Santano in the CCI*** in Camphire. The duo finished with a dressage score of 24.5.

At the Rio 2016 Olympics Chris rode alongside Sam Griffiths, Stuart Tinney and Shane Rose, the team finishing third behind France and Germany in gold and silver respectively. During the Games, Shane was eliminated in the cross-country phase, so the three remaining Aussie riders had to be in top form as they entered the final day of show jumping in gold medal position. 

Riding Santano II, Chris clipped two fences, including the second last, but he did well to avoid a disaster at the final hurdle where a mistake would have handed the bronze to New Zealand.

Chris also narrowly missed out on medals in the Rio individual eventing competition, finishing fourth and fifth respectively.

At Kentucky 2018 he placed ninth on Nobilis 18. In 2019, Chris claimed third and fourth at Badminton with Cooley Lands and Graf Liberty and second at Pau with Quality Purdey. Chris finished the 2019 season as world no.3.

Chris was set to compete in his third Olympic Games in Tokyo, with his horse Quality Purdey, but had to withdraw two weeks out from the Games.

Following pre-Olympic veterinary inspections it was determined that Quality Purdey had sustained a minor injury and the decision was made that her welfare should not be compromised.

In 2021, Chris, who is based in Dorset in the UK, made a successful career shift from eventing to showjumping. However, early in 2024, he made a last-minute decision to return to his roots with the aim of qualifying for the Paris Olympics in eventing.

Chris took on the ride on Shadow Man, an exciting 14-year-old gelding produced to five-star level by British rider Ben Hobday, and quickly showed he had lost none of his artistry.
“I haven’t lost it,” Chris said. “On January 14 I asked my wife how she felt about my going eventing again — she said ‘Oh no’ — but by the end of next day we owned a percentage of Shadow Man.”

A series of strong performances by Chris and Shadow Man, including at Ireland’s Millstreet International Horse Trials – an Olympic selection trial – won them a place on the Australian team for Paris.

Our MSC Colleges today, some stories

Rather different from when many of us were at school, even our schools.

Some history of the Church:  Downlands

This afternoon, hundreds of Downlands students' family members visited the Graham Centre for our 11th Movers and Shakers event. Our annual Movers and Shakers event is where our Year 8 students become a person from the Catholic Church's history who has influenced change whilst answering a series of questions in character.

For the past six weeks, our students have been researching, compiling timelines and completing writing tasks related to the topic to assist them in their preparation.

Present issues: Monivae

IDAHOBIT DAY May 17th // International Day against Homophobia, Biophobia, Intersexism and Transphobia.

This week our Library was presented with a beautiful selection of books for all ages in recognizing diversity in our community.

The books were gifted to us by our local YUMCHA Group, supported by the Southern Grampians Council and Brophy Family and Youth Services.

Shane Carr MSC, Chaplain, Downlands College

Shane was appointed this year to Downlands College as Chaplain.

And Lenten classes (photos from the College Facebook page)

And learning early about Jesus washing feet – and doing the same.

Easter Monday lightness – with something heavy!

For  fuller view see below

Downlands College (some MSC heritage). Toowoomba school students have smashed the record for Queensland's heaviest pumpkin at this year's Royal Queensland Show giant pumpkin competition.

Downlands College year 10 and 11 agricultural science students grew and displayed an Atlantic giant pumpkin which weighed in at 368.5 kilograms at the Brisbane Showgrounds on Saturday.

They beat the previous Ekka record, set in 2015, by 107kg.

The college had two entries this year, and amazingly their lightest still weighed 337.5kg.

Last year, Downlands became the first school in the competition's 147-year history to win the top title.

• In short: Toowoomba students have beaten the previous Ekka heaviest pumpkin record, set in 2015, by 107kg.

• The Downlands College pumpkin weighed 368.5kg.

• What's next? The school aims to beat the national and world records which sit at more than 800kg and 1,200kg respectively.

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And a recent PS: Downlands break hoodoo to win AFLQ Darling Downs ‘holy grail’

Congratulations to our Under 17s Girls on securing the premiership this AFL season!

“The girls have come from all over Australia as boarding students to our school, some of them have been in the side for three or four years where we’ve made grand finals every year and never quite got the result,” Mr Dan Fraser (coach) said. But, now…