Toowoomba Catholic Education challenges all to “act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with their God”, according to the Vision of Jesus Christ and the Mission of the Church. The community at St. Mary’s College Toowoomba is called to live out that challenge authentically.
St Mary’s College as an educational community fosters Christian living in the Catholic tradition. The community is committed to developing a welcoming spirit through which all community members are encouraged and challenged to develop as children of God. The college reaches out to students from diverse backgrounds.
Through their experience of community, where social justice is fundamental, all are challenged spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, culturally and physically. In an environment where the giftedness of each individual is recognised and their achievements valued, emphasis is placed on participation and effort above achievement, sportsmanship above winning, and service rather than personal gratification.
Our aim is to form character in a compassionate, respectful, accepting and happy environment. Aware of our own worth and dignity we hope to deepen our awareness of God’s unchangeable love for us, which accepts us as we are and forgives our weaknesses, challenging us to grow further. Inspired by this love, we strive to develop relationships through a celebration of our lives together and a commitment to reconciliation.
Proud of our heritage, we reach out to everyone, especially those who need us most, keeping alive the spirit of Blessed Edmund Rice, Founder of the Christian Brothers. Edmund continues to call us to challenge the values of our world and make them more God-centred.
We believe that …
- God loves us, each and every one of us without exception.
- In Jesus God became man to show us the depth of his love for us and the way to become the best people we can be.
- This is the basis of our relationship with ourselves, others and God.
- It is also the basis of all our educational endeavours, which develop all aspects of our being.
- We are people of prayer.
- We often express to God and to others our thankfulness for their goodness to us.
- We are called to excellence in all that we do.
- The Holy Spirit is ever present, guiding, leading, encouraging, challenging and empowering us.
- Staff members share this task as they assist students to learn and learn with them.
- Our education recognises the worth, the individuality and the different needs of each person and responds positively to these.
- Our teaching is based on a search for quality in content, methods and procedures always open to improvement and seeking what is best for students