#128 đ Why Backwards Design in PDHPE
The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell
Release Date: 02/25/2025
The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell
In this episode, we explore food sustainability with OzHarvest Australia and what it really takes to help our students build healthier habits. As NSW primary teachers and high school PDHPE teachers, we know food choices are shaped by access, equity, culture and education, not just whatâs on the plate. We look at the challenges around food waste, food insecurity and misleading nutrition messages and how simple classroom conversations can guide young people toward sustainable decisions that last. Youâll also hear real stories from OzHarvestâs work in Australian communities and how...
info_outlineThe PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell
Are your CAFS students struggling to move beyond a Band 3 or 4? In this episode, we break down exactly what separates Band 5 and 6 responses from the rest and how you can teach these skills with confidence in your classroom. Drawing from 16 years of HSC marking experience and insights mentoring thousands of CAFS teachers spanning 15 years, in How to Strengthen CAFS Student Responses for Band 5 & 6 Success, I unpack what high-scoring students do differently: from interpreting Glossary of Key Words and applying syllabus content to writing with clarity, structure and confidence. Youâll walk...
info_outlineThe PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell
Why is CAFS still getting a bad rap in NSW schools? Itâs time to challenge the outdated perceptions and show just how powerful this subject really is. In this episode, I unpack the misconceptions that still surround CAFS and how passionate, collaborative teachers are rewriting the narrative through innovation, connection and impact. If youâre tired of fighting the same battles alone, this oneâs for you. Letâs elevate CAFS together one classroom, one teacher, one Collective at a time. đ Join The CAFS Collective:
info_outlineThe 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 isnât just a conversation about the problem. Itâs about the solution. Youâll learn: The real reasons why burnout is so common in our profession Why teachers often default to working solo, even when itâs...
info_outlineThe PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell
Tired of feeling like youâre drowning in content delivery and your students are disengaged? In this episode, Iâm sharing the 5 power moves every CAFS teacher should know: the strategies that transform your classroom from âcopy, memorise, repeatâ to dynamic, high-impact learning. Hereâs what weâll cover: Why you should stop making your kids copy notes (and what to do instead) How to ditch the textbook and use done-for-you resources that actually work The key to bringing CAFS to life so students stay engaged and curious Why linking examples...
info_outlineThe PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell
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: Iâve seen the hidden shifts in what CAFS markers are looking for and where students consistently fall short. In this episode, Iâm pulling back the curtain to share exactly what you need to be doing now in your CAFS classroom to set your students up for success. Youâll discover: - Why relying on acronyms alone wonât get your students across the line - The subtle changes in student CAFS responses that...
info_outlineThe PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell
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 markersâ expectations and reveal the secrets behind top-Band responses that most teachers across the State never get access to. Youâll learn: â The defining features that separate average answers from Band 5 & 6 excellence â Practical strategies you can embed straight into your teaching to lift student performance â How to...
info_outlineThe PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell
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, weâll break down exactly what goes wrong and how to fix it. Plus, Iâll share some handy resources and acronyms to help your students nail their examples and link everything back to wellbeing. Tune in for some practical strategies to help your CAFS students shine! đ FREEBIE & Shownotes:
info_outlineThe PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell
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. Iâve spent hours diving into the changes so you donât have to, and in this episode I walk you through: Whatâs in and whatâs out of the new syllabus The major changes you need to know, including reduced outcomes, embedded Aboriginal perspectives and new performance band descriptors How to strategically plan for implementation so you and your faculty feel confident, not stressed Why this...
info_outlineThe PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell
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 a Head Teacher, new to Stage 6, or juggling multiple syllabus updates, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence you need to move forward. Key Takeaways: ...
info_outline⨠Ever wondered how flipping your lesson planning upside down could revolutionise your students' learning experience in PDHPE? Join us as we dive deep into the game-changing world of Backwards Design, where starting with the end in mind transforms not just your PDHPE teaching, but your students' achievement.
Discover fresh perspectives and practical strategies that will reshape how you approach your PDHPE planning, teaching and assessment.
The Learning Network is here to guide you through this transformative approach that's changing the way we support and teach PDHPE across NSW. â¨
Recommended reading: Understanding by Design by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe
https://www.amazon.com.au/Understanding-Design-Grant-Wiggins/dp/1416600353