Millicent Backway

Acting Centre Director

Hello, my name is Millicent (Millie). I grew up in Northeast Victoria on Waywurru and Wiradjuri Country close to Albury-Wodonga. My early childhood spent predominantly in nature - playing in fresh-water creeks and scrambling over granite rocks as I explored mountain landscapes - shaped the nature-based educator that I have become. 

I have been working in Early Childhood for over ten years. I obtained my Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care in 2018 whilst living in Brisbane after which I travelled to Germany where I worked as an English speaking early childhood educator in kindergartens before returning home to Australia. In 2021 I commenced my Bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary Education.  

My motivation for investing in a career in Early Childhood is nourished by a desire to be part of creating a healthy, progressive, and sustainable present and future. Children are valuable not only for who they will become but for who they are now; creative and capable individuals, agents of their own learning and emerging global citizens. In my practice I aim to provide children with caring interactions, stimulating environments and meaningful experiences to support their wellbeing, learning and development that will position them for a fulfilling, successful and effective life.  

What draws me to HEI it’s alignment with Finnish pedagogy and my own teaching philosophy; learning that is fostered through creative, active, social and authentic experiences. Learning is promoted through curiosity about our world, connecting with others and to the land we are living on. At HEI Schools Ballarat Central my team and I are working collaboratively to create a learning community wherein children can both learn from and teach our broader community.  

I look forward to meeting you, establishing a long-term respectful relationship with you and your child, and working with our passionate team to support your child to have a wonderful learning journey at HEI Schools Ballarat.