The inspiring story of Frances and her long journey to HSC success
Frances Wilmore left St Ursula’s in 1974 and returned over a decade later to complete her HSC studies. Her extraordinary story shows the power of education, encouragement and determination. We thank Frances most sincerely for sharing her inspirational story and photos with us.
What were the circumstances surrounding you leaving high school in Year 11 and why did you decide to return to complete your HSC more than a decade later?
I became pregnant with my eldest son Chris towards the end of 1974. I left school intending to continue my HSC studies by correspondence (which in those days was by snail mail) but that proved too difficult. I married my husband Patrick in December 1974 (we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary last December) and Christopher was born in May 1975. I had 2 more children Adam and Meghann (Meghann also attended St Ursula’s class of ‘99). I always wanted to complete the HSC so when Meghann started kindergarten at OLF I decided to complete the HSC. I was still in contact with the Ursuline nuns who taught me the first time (particularly Sr Marj Carroll) and when I mentioned I wanted to do the HSC the nuns invited me to complete my studies at St Ursula’s. It was so much easier to walk to school with my 3 kids (2 kids at OLF and 1 at De la Salle) than to attend TAFE and I felt much more comfortable in my old school. Occasionally my 2 youngest kids joined me in class.
How did you find the experience? Were you treated differently as a mature age student?
It was a wonderful though very stressful experience. I was only 30 when I returned but felt like an old lady compared to the students. It was the first year of assessments which was a steep learning curve for students and teachers alike. A big change was the use of “scientific calculators” which at first was quite daunting. Most of the students accepted me and many became my friends. I participated in all the activities/events as a normal student but Principal Sr Mary O’Neill said I should wear normal clothes – to be honest it would have been easier to wear the uniform than to have my outfits critiqued by the girls! I don’t think St Ursula’s had changed very much and there were teachers still there from my first time. I had certainly changed though, much more serious and focused!
What are your fondest memories of your time (both times!) at St Ursula’s?
Both times my fondest memories of St Ursula’s are the wonderful teachers – they made an indelible mark on my life and set me up for 5 1/2 years of full time Uni and College of Law – I started Uni with so many skills gained at St Ursula’s and thoroughly enjoyed my time there because of them. The nuns gave me my own room in the convent where I could study and I was often spoiled with morning tea by the lovely retired nuns who were some of my biggest supporters.
A particularly funny moment was my husband Patrick attending parent-teacher nights to meet the teachers!
Did your unusual HSC pathway lead to the results you expected and how did this make you feel?
My unusual pathway exceeded my expectations. I commenced Year 11 the second time just aiming to complete the HSC but in Year 11 the teachers advised me that I was going to do well so from then on my goal became Law. I did a BA/LLB at UNSW & a Diploma of Legal Practice at the College of Law and was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW in 1994. There followed various qualifications in Management and Environmental Planning. I worked part time at a solicitors office while at Uni and had legal roles in a variety of government departments before being appointed General Manager Legal of a NSW government state owned corporation. My success was due to St Ursula’s and the unfailing support of my wonderful family.
After an extremely busy and stressful but enjoyable career in law I became very ill in 2014 so Patrick and I retired to the beautiful NSW Far South Coast.
In 2016 I became a dementia and delirium volunteer at my local regional hospital. I love caring for cognitively impaired people and working with the nurses who care for them. I have done many online health courses and am a member of various community health committees.
These days I love the quiet life; reading, gardening, cooking, looking after my lovely husband and spoiling my 8 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and the older kids!
