GEMS Wellington schools serve up nutrition education with Jamie Oliver’s Bite Back 2030
30 May 2022
GEMS Wellington schools are first outside UK to partner Bite Back 2030
Four GEMS Education schools that together make up the GEMS Wellington group have joined celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s global ‘Bite Back 2030’ campaign with the aim of educating students on the importance of healthy meals and nutrition and furthering their understanding of food technology.
Bite Back 2030 began in the UK, where students have led a movement of young people to step up and take charge of the national conversation on child health and nutrition. Together, they have created and championed strategies within their schools, both at corporate and government level, to tackle rising obesity rates.
The impact of the campaign has already led to policy changes in the UK, and the GEMS Wellington schools are now proud to be the first international partners on this important mission.
The schools involved include GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail, GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis, GEMS Wellington International School, and GEMS Wellington School – Qatar.
The schools’ teachers have been learning from the team of experts at Bite Back 2030 about what has been effective in the UK in terms of creative cooking classes and understanding campaign strategies, which has helped the schools create extra-curricular activities and student-led initiatives such as school recipe books and a review of school canteen menus.
Under the guidance of each GEMS Wellington school’s Bite Back Ambassador, students are discovering the simplicity and sustainability of healthy eating, as well as the impact of food miles and how good nutrition leads to better wellbeing.
Jennifer Kilsby, Bite Back Ambassador, GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis, said: “We’re thrilled that our students are so engaged in the Bite Back 2030 campaign and the values it seeks to teach them. In line with UN Sustainable Development Goal Number Three, to promote good health and wellbeing, there is currently a global emphasis on sustainable food systems to support adequate nutrition.
“In secondary, we have been focusing on learning how to cook, prepare and present nutritious meals to meet the needs of teenagers. We have been creating recipes made by Jack Deane, Head Teaching Chef at The Jamie Oliver Cookery School. His recipes have helped inspire the Bite Back team in secondary to create delicious home cooked ‘Fakeaway’-style food, which is quick and easy but more nutritionally balanced than a typical takeaway meal. We are excited to lead this initiative and can’t wait for this movement to grow across all GEMS schools and hopefully even across the UAE.”