By Fiona Armstrong

A DUNDEE College graduate beamed with pride yesterday as she showed off her newly-acquired qualification and her five-week old twins.

Michelle Phillips (24) was presented with a Higher National Diploma in legal services by principal Iain Ovens at the Caird Hall awards ceremony.

Her twin girls, Kacey and Ellie, were born on August 17, just two months after the completion of her two-year course.

Her achievement is all the more notable given that, late in her pregnancy, she struggled up the hill to reach the Constitution Road campus so she could finish her qualification.

Michelle said yesterday, “I have been looking forward to this day for ages and I am delighted it has finally arrived.

“I attended the college full-time and sometimes it was a bit of the struggle, but I think the hardest bit was the hike up Constitution Road to get to the classes!

“Everyone at college was really supportive and I feel really lucky to have such a supportive family behind me as well.”

At 16, Michelle left school to work in childcare and worked at Nursery Rhymes and undertook placements at Happy Days nursery and at Ardler Community Centre.

She said, “I started at Dundee College in 2003 as I wasn’t sure I wanted to work with children!

“The twins were premature so they spent the first nine days in the special care unit but though there were a few wee difficulties, there were no major problems.

“My mum is looking after the twins for the night because I’m heading out to celebrate with my friends. I think this will be the first night I will have had a good night’s sleep for over five weeks!

“Although I would love to start work straight away, I am going to take some time out to look after the twins and I’ll take it from there.

“I hope to be able to continue my studies at some point in the future but I would like to thank everyone for all their help and support.”