#156 How to Strengthen CAFS Responses for Band 5 & 6 Success
The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell
Release Date: 11/11/2025
#157 Food Sustainability in NSW PDHPE: Building Healthier Habits for Life
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 what’s 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. You’ll also hear real stories from OzHarvest’s work in Australian communities and how...
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#156 How to Strengthen CAFS Responses for Band 5 & 6 Success
The 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. You’ll walk...
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#155 Why is CAFS Still Getting a Bad Rap in NSW Schools?
The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell
Why is CAFS still getting a bad rap in NSW schools? It’s time to challenge the outdated perceptions and show just how powerful this subject really is.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 you’re tired of fighting the same battles alone, this one’s for you. Let’s elevate CAFS together one classroom, one teacher, one Collective at a time. 👉 Join The CAFS Collective:
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#154 The Real Reason Why Teachers of PDHPE, HMS & CAFS Are Burnt Out
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 about the problem. It’s about the solution. You’ll learn: The real reasons why burnout is so common in our profession Why teachers often default to working solo, even when it’s...
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#153 The 5 Power Moves Every CAFS Teacher Should Know
The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell
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 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...
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#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: ...
info_outlineAre 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.
You’ll walk away with practical, easy-to-apply strategies to:
✅ Improve the quality and depth of student responses
✅ Strengthen links to the syllabus and Glossary of Key Words
✅ Model and scaffold Band 6-level answers in class
✅ Give feedback that actually helps students grow
This episode is a behind the scenes of our recent CAFS Webinar so if you want the full recording you can head to thelearnnet.com/successcafs
If you’re a CAFS teacher who wants to see your students hit higher bands in the HSC, this episode is your go-to guide to elevate their writing and your teaching practice.
🎧 Tune in now and discover what it really takes to boost CAFS results across your classroom.