#138 Navigating Collaborative Investigation in Health and Movement Science with Karlee Matthews
The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell
Release Date: 05/20/2025
#152 What the Former NSW CAFS Supervisor of Marking Wants Every Teacher to Know
The 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: 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 classroom to set your students up for success. You’ll discover: - Why relying on acronyms alone won’t get your students across the line - The subtle changes in student CAFS responses that...
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#151 Band 5 & 6 Unlocked: The Secrets Behind Top Responses in Community & Family Studies
The 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 markers’ expectations and reveal the secrets behind top-Band responses that most teachers across the State never get access to. You’ll learn: ✅ The defining features that separate average answers from Band 5 & 6 excellence ✅ Practical strategies you can embed straight into your teaching to lift student performance ✅ How to...
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#150 CAFS Mistakes That Keep Showing Up (And How to Fix Them)
The 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, 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 students nail their examples and link everything back to wellbeing. Tune in for some practical strategies to help your CAFS students shine! 🎁 FREEBIE & Shownotes:
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#149 Unpacking the new Child Studies Syllabus
The 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. 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, 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...
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#148: Year 12 HMS Assessment Webinar: Unpack the changes to the ACE Manual
The 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: ...
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#147: Teaching HMS with Confidence: Syllabus Change, Regional Challenges & Real Teacher Support
The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell
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 decade, navigating new content while balancing life as a careers advisor and parent. From advocating for HMS to be taught face-to-face in her regional Catholic school to leaning heavily on ready-made...
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#146 Strengthening Assessment in HMS: Clarity & Change
The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell
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 and IRP are still compulsory How to maintain the spirit of the syllabus while working within new guidelines My tips for setting your students up for exam success in Term 3 and...
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#145: Hybrid Learning & AI with Lisa Highfill: Boost Student Engagement in NSW PDHPE & CAFS Classrooms
The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell
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: ✅ How HyperDocs amplify learning through digital inquiry ✅ Why student voice and agency must take centre stage, and; ✅ How AI and project-based learning are transforming classrooms......
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#144: Rewriting the Narrative: NSW Teachers Who Inspire
The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell
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 the challenges, there are thousands of teachers showing up, making a difference and quietly rewriting the narrative every single day. I share a few of their stories, along with my own reflections...
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#143: Teaching for Life, Not Just the Test: Lessons from Jay McTighe
The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell
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 the ultimate test preparation and how performance-based assessment and backward design can (and should) transform our classrooms. Whether you're navigating curriculum reform, supporting...
info_outlineIn 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 process she used to scaffold student learning, manage group dynamics and guide her class through a range of research methods like experiments, interviews and observations.
You’ll also hear how she aligned the CI with assessment, set her students up for success and the go-to resources she swears by.
Plus, we chat about what’s coming up at the HMS Summit and why you seriously won’t want to miss it.
🎧 Listen Now: www.theleaarnnet.com/138
🎟️ Grab all the info for The HMS Summit here: www.thelearnnet.com/summit