Raschelle Martindale
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)

Raschelle came to Notre Dame as a mature age student to study Physiotherapy, having already completed a Bachelor of Commerce. She was an outstanding student throughout her degree and graduated with honours. Raschelle received 32 Distinctions and High Distinctions during the course of her study.

Clare Cole
Bachelor of Education (Primary)

Clare originally began her studies in secondary education, but found her interests lay more in the primary sector after working with younger students. She graduated with Distinction, receiving 33 Distinctions and High Distinctions overall. She has been offered a position to teach year four at St Munchin’s in Gosnells next year.

Jill Littlewood
Bachelor of Nursing

Jill was attracted to Notre Dame because of its social justice ethos and support programs for mature age students. She was previously an occupational therapist and has worked in various health care settings.

Jill was placed on the Vice Chancellor’s List for 2005 and 2006, having attained outstanding academic results. She was awarded the Nurses’ Memorial Trust Bush Bequest Award for excellence in Undergraduate Nursing Research and is joint winner of the Dr Rex Joyner Prize for Nursing Excellence. Jill received 27 Distinctions and High Distinctions of the 28 units she studied.

Extract form Jill Littlewood’s Valedictorian speech:

“I started thinking about returning to university studies about four years ago, I’d spent the previous 20 odd years raising a family and doing volunteer and community work.

I was attracted to Notre Dame for its unique location, its reputation for providing quality nursing education with an emphasis on extensive practical training, the small classes, the university’s social justice ethos and the welcoming attitude to mature age students.

During my time here, I have been inspired by the diversity and richness of the community at Notre Dame. We all come from different backgrounds but are welcomed with the same non-judgemental and inclusive attitude. I’m fortunate in that I haven’t had the added pressure of maintaining paid employment during my studies, nor have I had young children to care for. I have been in awe of students whose life experiences have presented enormous challenges to their studies.”

Agustina Mata
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Agustina embarked on her Bachelor of Arts studies as a way to follow her passions of literature, history and languages. She hopes to combine her love of travel with further study of languages, particularly Italian and Spanish, and their literature.

Agustina was placed on the Vice Chancellor’s List for outstanding academic results in 2005. She graduated with Distinction, receiving 30 Distinctions and High Distinctions throughout her degree.