The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell

Ever wondered why so many passionate teachers of PDHPE, CAFS and HMS teachers end up feeling completely burnt out or even leaving the profession altogether? In this powerful episode, we pull back the curtain on the hidden pressures facing NSW teachers today: unrealistic expectations, constant curriculum demands and the belief that we have to do it  all  alone. But this isn't just a conversation ab...

Tired of feeling like you're drowning in content delivery and your students are disengaged? In this episode, I'm sharing the  5 power moves  every CAFS teacher should know: the strategies that transform your classroom from "copy, memorise, repeat" to dynamic, high-impact learning. Here's what we'll cover: Why you should  stop making your kids copy notes  (and what to do instead) How to ditch the t...

Ever wondered what really separates a Band 4, 5 and 6 in Community and Family Studies? After years of marking thousands of CAFS responses and serving as the NSW Supervisor of Marking: I've seen the hidden shifts in what CAFS markers are looking for and where students consistently fall short. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain to share exactly what you need to be doing now in your CAFS c...

Every Community and Family Studies teacher wants their students hitting Band 5 and 6, but few know the exact difference between a strong response and an exceptional one. In this episode of  Band 5 & 6 Unlocked , I pull back the curtain on the markers' expectations and reveal the secrets behind top-Band responses that most teachers across the State never get access to. You'll learn: ✅ The defi...

In this episode, we dive into the top five recurring mistakes Community and Family Studies (CAFS) students are still making year after year. From not planning their answers (hello, RUNFAR method!) to missing those crucial Glossary of Key Words and mixing up key concepts, we'll break down exactly what goes wrong and how to fix it. Plus, I'll share some handy resources and acronyms to help your stud...

The brand new Child Studies syllabus has just landed in NSW, and in this episode (recorded live from a recent webinar) I help you cut through the overwhelm and focus on what really matters. I've spent hours diving into the changes so you don't have to, and in this episode I walk you through: What's in and what's out of the new syllabus The major changes you need to know, including reduced outcomes...

In this live-recorded webinar, I dive deep into the recent changes to the ACE Manual and what they mean for NSW teachers delivering Year 12 Health and Movement Science in Term 3 and beyond. We unpack the implications of the updated rules on assessment structure, flexibility, and expectations and answer pressing questions from teachers across NSW navigating this brand-new HSC course. Whether you're...

The new Health and Movement Science syllabus has left many NSW teachers feeling overwhelmed, underprepared and time-poor. But for Lucy Pearce, an experienced PDHPE educator working part-time in a regional school, the game-changer has been The Learning Network's HMS Membership. In this episode of The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast, Lucy shares her powerful story of returning to senior PDHPE after a decad...

Feeling confused about the latest changes to HMS and CAFS assessment requirements? You're not alone. In this episode of The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast, I dive into the recent NESA updates and unpack exactly what NSW teachers need to know to strengthen assessment practices in Stage 6 HMS. We explore: Key changes from the ACE Manual and what they mean for you Whether the Collaborative Investigation an...

In this episode of The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast, I'm joined by the incredible Lisa Highfill—co-creator of the HyperDoc Handbook and a true trailblazer in digital lesson design, virtual learning, and student-led education. Lisa shares her journey from 5th grade teacher to instructional coach, and now back in the classroom as a middle school teacher at Pleasanton Virtual Academy. We dive into: ✅ Ho...

In this solo episode, I take a moment to pause and reflect on what has been one of the wildest terms yet. From growing conversations around teacher burnout to media headlines painting a bleak picture of the profession... this episode is about flipping the script. As someone who spent 14 years in a Western Sydney classroom, I've seen first-hand the heart, hustle and impact of NSW teachers. Despite...

In this episode, I sit down with legendary educator and author Jay McTighe, co-creator of  Understanding by Design® , to explore how we can move beyond content coverage and standardised testing to create classrooms focused on deep understanding, authentic transfer and meaningful student learning. Jay unpacks what it really means to "plan with the end in mind," why teaching  for  understanding is t...

In this episode, I'm joined by cognitive scientist, educator and all-round powerhouse, Dr Janell Blunt, to unpack one of the most powerful learning strategies you might not be using enough: retrieval practice. We dive deep into how small changes in your PDHPE, CAFS & Health and Movement Science classroom practice can lead to massive results for your students...without adding more to your plate...

In this powerful episode of The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast, I'm joined by world-renowned assessment expert Shirley Clarke to unpack exactly why formative assessment works and how it can be a game-changer in PDHPE, CAFS and HMS classrooms. We dive into the evolution of formative assessment, explore how co-constructing success criteria boosts student self-efficacy and why in-the-moment feedback leads...

In this special episode recorded during the 2025 PDHPE Open Week, I'm joined by Lyndelle, our K–6 PDHPE Mentor here at The Learning Network. We take you behind the scenes of the K–6 PDHPE Membership and show exactly what NSW primary school teachers get access to when they join. Lyndelle walks us through the Members Only Google Drive where she's been building all the essential resources to help our...

What if PDHPE didn't feel so hard? NSW Primary teachers. NSW PDHPE teachers. NSW Schools. We're doing things differently: no more doing it yourself or last-minute scrambling. In episode #139 of The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast, Kell Bell is taking you inside our PDHPE Memberships, where we support primary & high school teachers with syllabus-aligned resources, practical strategies and real support...

In this episode of The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast, we bring you a behind-the-scenes listen into a live MasterClass from our Health and Movement Science Membership. We're joined by experienced Stage 6 teacher Karlee Matthews, who unpacks exactly how she's navigated the Collaborative Investigation (CI) in Year 11 HMS. From planning and programming to classroom implementation. Karlee breaks down the pr...

In this follow-up conversation on The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast, we're once again joined by internationally recognised educator and author Holly Clark to unpack the next layer of AI in the classroom. We go beyond the basics and into the mindset shift needed for today's educators where being AI-literate is no longer optional. Holly shares: ✅ How AI is evolving beyond "easy buttons" to support deepe...

In Episode #136 of The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast, we're joined by global education technology expert and author Holly Clark, live from the U.S. This episode is a must-listen for every educator wondering where AI belongs in their classroom and how to use it without losing the human touch. Together, we unpack: What "student-facing" vs "teacher-facing" AI really means Why AI is the ultimate equaliser ...

In Episode #135 of The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast , Kell Bell is joined by global education leader Jarrod Robinson (The PE Geek) to explore the power of technology, human connection, and curiosity in today's PE classrooms. Jarrod shares insights from working with schools across 35 countries, the impact of COVID on accelerating tech adoption, and how simple tools like video and instant replay can rev...

In this episode, you'll discover how to bring meaningful movement into your PDHPE classroom, no matter how small your space or how tight your timetable. Join Kelly Bell as she shares practical strategies to boost physical activity, lift classroom energy, and align with the new K–10 PDHPE syllabus. You'll walk away with four simple, effective ways to embed movement into your day, plus a bonus tip o...

Wait… that's actually in the new PDHPE syllabus? In this episode of The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast, we're diving into the bold, surprising, and sometimes eyebrow-raising outcomes now included in the new K-6 & 7–10 PDHPE syllabus. From fertility treatments to trajectory and force, this curriculum update is pushing boundaries and opening up some powerful teaching opportunities. Whether you're feel...

Assessment in PDHPE doesn't have to mean endless marking, regurgitated tasks or surface-level recall. In this episode of The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast, we reimagine assessment with a smarter, more strategic approach to give you back your time while improving student outcomes. Inside this episode, we cover: ✅ How to strategically backwards map assessments to align with skills, outcomes and student...

Sport is not PE, and PE is not sport. As PDHPE teachers, we know this, but are we truly delivering explicit movement skills and literacy in our classrooms? In this episode of The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast, we break down the key explicit skills in the new NSW PDHPE syllabus, focusing on: ✅ The importance of physical literacy & fundamental movement skills across K-6 and 7-10 ✅ Why writing is no...

The landscape of PDHPE in NSW is changing. New syllabi, new challenges, and a massive road ahead for teachers. With the release of the K-6 and 7-10 PDHPE syllabi, educators are faced with the reality of juggling multiple curriculum changes, increased workloads, and the ongoing pressure to deliver quality teaching with limited resources. In this episode of The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast, we break dow...