Food and Nutrition spans beyond the classroom, as it is designed to teach students how to incorporate concepts of nutrition into their everyday lives. It is crucial that students are aware of the importance of maintaining a balanced diet from a young age, as it is beneficial for their growth and development. A poor diet, on the other hand, can have adverse effects on their health. Instilling proper nutrition trends into students’ daily routines will help create a better quality of life for them. Teaching them healthy eating habits now will perpetuate a healthy lifestyle for them and put them on an appropriate path to lasting wellness.

Students are assessed regularly on their ability to demonstrate the skills, processes and knowledge in the practical cooking lessons. They are informed of what is expected for the final controlled assessment task, which occurs at the end of the course. The end of course assessment is as follows:

One controlled assessment task consisting of 

• a planning, designing and researched based activity 

• a practical activity

Nutrition and well-being play a vital role in the UWCSEA curriculum, with a particular focus on addressing the dietary guidelines and specific nutritional needs and challenges faced by teenagers. In Grades 6 and 7, students delve deeper into understanding the correlation between their diet and overall health. They explore the essential nutrients their bodies require and examine the connections between modern dietary patterns and common health issues. Moreover, the subject emphasises the interrelationship of wellness, healthy lifestyles, and practical life skills through engaging activities like food preparation, cooking, and presentation. These hands-on experiences are thoughtfully designed to be both challenging and stimulating, aiming to foster a sense of enjoyment and fulfilment.

The course goes beyond theoretical knowledge and aims to cultivate essential life skills that are transferable beyond the classroom. It provides opportunities for students to build confidence, develop teamwork and leadership abilities, assume responsibility, enhance organisational skills, and practise effective time management. By integrating nutrition and well-being into the curriculum, UWCSEA strives to empower students to make informed choices about their own health and to develop a holistic understanding of the impact of nutrition on their overall well-being.

Students gain lifelong skills, including:

• an understanding of nutrition and health problems related to diet

• an awareness of how eating patterns and dietary needs depend on age and social group.  

• an interest in the creative aspect and enjoyment of food 

• skills  necessary for food preparation and food preservation 

• the ability to organise and plan practical work 

• the ability to use food sensibly in everyday life 

• the ability to analyse and evaluate their own diets 

• an awareness of and practice in food safety and hygiene

Furthermore, the Food and Nutrition curriculum fosters the development of creative designing and food preparation skills, as well as technical knowledge and understanding related to food production. Additionally, students review current nutritional articles to gain awareness of global issues surrounding health and nutrition. This provides an opportunity for students to share their cultural experiences and perspectives on food with their peers. Throughout the curriculum, students are encouraged to maintain a balanced diet and incorporate healthy amounts of exercise into their daily routines. This holistic approach promotes a comprehensive understanding of well-being and supports students in leading healthy and fulfilling lives.

Food and Nutrition is a subject at UWCSEA that offers a challenging and dynamic curriculum, which is an integral part of the overall academic program. The subject combines elements of both art and science, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of food and its impact on health.

In Grade 8, the curriculum builds upon the foundational knowledge acquired in Grades 6 and 7. The focus shifts towards exploring current dietary guidelines and addressing the specific nutritional needs of individuals. By establishing a continuum of learning across the different grade levels, students have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge, skills, and understanding in a subject that directly relates to their everyday lives. While students continue to learn about the nutritional, physical, chemical, and sensory properties of food, they are also introduced to the ways in which poor dietary choices, malnutrition, and food allergies can lead to diseases and illnesses. Importantly, students learn how to maintain a balanced diet by creating appropriate combinations and modifications of food.

The curriculum aims to establish a connection between overall wellness, healthy lifestyles, and practical life skills such as food preparation, cooking, creativity, and presentation. All food-related activities are designed to be challenging and stimulating, fostering excitement and satisfaction through hands-on learning experiences. To demonstrate their acquired knowledge and skills, students participate in a culminating cultural culinary experience. They are tasked with preparing, cooking, and serving a dish from their home country, allowing them to showcase their understanding of diverse culinary traditions.

Beyond academic learning, the course is designed to foster the development of important life skills including responsibility, confidence, motivation, resilience, teamwork, time management, and organisational skills. Students are encouraged to maintain a holistic and healthy lifestyle by balancing a nutritious diet with regular exercise. Overall, the Food and Nutrition curriculum at UWCSEA provides students with a well-rounded education that promotes both theoretical understanding and practical application, empowering them to make informed choices regarding their own health and well-being.