Students set to whip up winning beef meals with sporting heroes
11 February 2021
MLA has engaged Australian Beef Ambassador and Paralympian, Eliza Ault-Connell to be part of the new Be Your Greatest Virtual Classroom Program
Primary school students across Australia have the opportunity to whip up winning beef meals with sporting heroes and learn about the role of Australian Beef in a healthy lifestyle when new modules of the Be Your Greatest Virtual Classroom Program launch next week.
The program delivers an interactive and educational experience and supports Australian Beef’s sponsorship of Australia’s Paralympic and Olympic Teams.
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has engaged its Australian Beef Ambassadors to be part of the program, including Paralympians Eliza Ault-Connell and Scott Reardon, Rugby Sevens’ most capped female player, Emilee Cherry, men’s Rugby Sevens player, Lewis Holland, and co-captain of the Hockeyroos, Emily Chalker.
Facilitated by a qualified teacher, students will have the opportunity to chat with MasterChef alumni Matt Sinclair and one of the athlete Ambassadors ahead of this year’s Tokyo Games. Each session lasts around 45 minutes with plenty of time for interaction and questions.
MLA Community and Industry Engagement Manager, Fiona Thompson, said the virtual classroom program is linked to the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education and Science outcomes for primary students.
“In terms one and two this year, MasterChef alumni Matt Sinclair will join our athletes in a series of livestreamed cooking classes where they’ll be cooking up their favourite winning beef meals in a cooking show format,” Ms Thompson said.
“Students will learn how to prepare fun, nutritious meals while learning about the importance of keeping active to be their greatest and achieve their goals.
“We have selected easy, delicious and nutritious meals to give students insight into how to cook and appreciate Australian Beef with a variety of cuts.
“Classes are free to attend and MLA encourages teachers and principals to register classes to participate in this great program.”
Paralympic wheelchair racer Eliza Ault-Connell will kick off the first classroom session and will feature her healthy beef Thai salad.
“Being a mum of three kids and also a professional athlete, I need to make sure nutritionally I’m maxing out wherever I can. For me, eating beef means that I can get enough protein and iron in my diet. It’s healthy and it’s tasty,” Eliza said.
The curriculum linked classes are accompanied by a suite of resources to encourage continual learning and cooking at home.
Participants will have access to a digital cookbook featuring all of the healthy meals created during the series, a 'Create Your Own Cookbook' template and a teacher guide to promote further learning around health and nutrition in the classroom.
All Virtual Classroom times are Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) and will be held on the following dates:
Term one dates:
Wednesday, 17 February – 11am & 2pm
Thursday, 18 February – 11am & 2pm
Wednesday, 17 March – 11am & 2pm
Thursday, 18 March – 11am & 2pm
Term two dates:
Wednesday, 12 May – 11am & 2pm
Thursday, 13 May – 11am & 2pm
Wednesday, 16 June – 11am & 2pm
Thursday, 17 June – 11am & 2pm
