Despite her efforts to knuckle down and study Jessica said her ATAR rank of 99.5 came as a complete surprise.
‘My friend called me and said the results were out early so I quickly went online and I saw the score and thought, ‘oh that’s a good score, that can’t be mine, where’s my score’?’ she said.
‘My predicted ATAR was 97 and after I finished the WACE exams, I thought I couldn’t have got that (rank), so it was a bit of a shock.’
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READ NOWShe confessed that she could have enjoyed her time at school more than she allowed herself, but said it was all worth it.
‘I know I stressed too much but at the time it feels necessary; I had a goal and I wanted to get there.’
Although admitting she is very critical of herself, Jessica’s mother shone with pride for her daughter ” the first on both sides of the family to go to university.
‘I know how much work she put in over the two years, her life was focused on doing well, I was so relieved for her,’ Mrs Catterall said. ‘It’s not something that’s come easy to her, she worked really hard for those results, which is why I tell her she shouldn’t self doubt herself.’
The studying is not over yet as she plans to begin a double degree in health promotion, followed by a postgraduate in medicine.
Jessica received the DUX award of her school, as well as a Certificate of Commendation (more than 20 A results) two Certificates of Distinction (Human Biological Science and Psychology) and a course exhibition.