Toowoomba’s Downlands College has 11 months to build new P-3 junior campus, receives $5.7m in state government funding for it

One of Toowoomba’s top schools has been given a huge financial boost in its bid to build a new expansion to its campus in less than a year.

Downlands College principal Stephen Koch with students (from left) Sophie Reynolds, Jaxson Parker and Sasithmi Kevitiyagala as the college announces it will take Prep students from 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

One of Toowoomba’s most prestigious private schools has to create an entire junior school from scratch in just 11 months — but they have the coffers to do it.

Downlands College can move ahead with construction of its new prep-to-year three extension, having been approved by the Toowoomba Regional Council for the $15m project.

Once completed, it will welcome up to two classes per grade, potentially bringing in hundreds more students to the Harlaxton campus.

Principal Stephen Koch said Downlands was moving quickly to pick a lead contractor so work could start, with the junior school due to open for 2023.

“Our tender process is out at the moment, so once that’s finished we hope to appoint the building firm for it, and in the Covid era, that’s not as simple as it all sounds,” he said.

“We would hope that’s done by the end of this month so it’s well and truly in the process.

“Our timeline is to commence the school in 2023, and we already have substantial enrolments.

“There has been so much interest, we’ve already appointed our assistant principal to get our educational programs in place.”

Concept art for the new Downlands College extension, which will allow the Toowoomba school to introduce prep to Year three students from 2023.

The school had been buoyed by winning a capital works grant from the Queensland Catholic Education Commission, with $5.7m in government funding contributing towards the build.

“We’ve been very fortunate and received a state government grant for that building, so I want to acknowledge the State Government’s support,” Mr Koch said.

“It’s worth $5.7m so it’s substantial, co-ordinated by Queensland Catholic Education Commission.”

APPROVED: Concept art for the new Downlands College extension, which will allow the Toowoomba school to introduce prep to Year three students from 2023.

Mr Koch said the expansion would not only create more openings for junior students across Toowoomba as young families poured in from the capital cities, but it would also allow children to complete their entire schooling at Downlands.

“We’re creating a new part to the school, the opportunities for extending to Prep through to Year 12 are enormous,” he said.

“We’re keeping families together and giving young people a chance to enjoy an MSC (Missionaries of the Sacred Heart) education.

“This is a real positive, because our Year 4 and 5 levels are at capacity and we currently have waiting lists.”

The school will also double its junior school teaching staff as a result of the expansion, with a focus on keeping student-teacher ratios low.