The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast with Kelly Bell

Kelly Bell
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Welcome to The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast  your weekly, fast‑action guide to thriving as a teacher of PDHPE, Community & Family Studies and Health & Movement Science in NSW. Host Kelly Bell has lived the challenges you face in teaching, after more than two decades in the classroom she rose to become NSW's trusted voice in PDHPE, CAFS and HMS, serving as HSC Supervisor of Marking and mentoring educators statewide. Each episode delivers time‑saving lesson frameworks, evidence‑based wellbeing strategies, assessment hacks and expert interviews so you can lift student outcomes, master the new syllabus and reclaim your afternoons, weekends and holidays. Whether you're brand‑new or a seasoned pro, tune in for practical, ready‑to‑use ideas that boost marks, reduce burnout and reignite your passion for teaching. 🔔 Free resources and show notes at thelearnnet.com.

  1. #160 7 Teaching Lessons I Didn't Expect to Learn This Year

    12/18/2025

    #160 7 Teaching Lessons I Didn't Expect to Learn This Year

    This final episode for the year is a personal reflection on big lessons that shaped me and my work supporting busy teachers of PDHPE, Community and Family Studies and Health and Movement Science across NSW. This year stretched me. It challenged how I work, how I lead and how I protect my energy. From the importance of support and systems to knowing when to ask for help and stop playing small, these lessons all point to one thing: sustainability. If you're a teacher who wants to keep doing this work well, without burning out or doing it alone, this episode is for you. And if you want next year to be different, we have developed a FREE resource for you and your students to map out a sustainable year. Head to thelearnnet.com/goals to download it. Ready to reclaim your afternoons, weekends and holidays? Join our PDHPE, CAFS and HMS Memberships.  thelearnnet.com/memberships

    29 min
  2. #159 Why Primary PE Matters: Building Strong Foundations for Every Child

    12/09/2025

    #159 Why Primary PE Matters: Building Strong Foundations for Every Child

    In this episode, we explore why PDHPE in primary schools is far more than sport and nutrition it's a critical foundation for every child's health, wellbeing and learning. With only 26% of Australian children meeting daily activity recommendations and one in seven experiencing mental health challenges, the role of PDHPE has never been more important. We unpack the research, the rising need for movement in classrooms, and how inclusive primary PDHPE builds confidence, resilience and lifelong healthy habits. Whether you're a teacher, school leader or parent, this episode will reshape the way you view primary PDHPE in our NSW schools.

    23 min
  3. #158 Transforming NSW PDHPE: Empowering Teachers for this Change

    11/25/2025

    #158 Transforming NSW PDHPE: Empowering Teachers for this Change

    In this episode, we chat with Jamie Gerlach CEO of 4 CTL as we unpack what real transformation looks like in schools and why primary and high school teachers of PDHPE are uniquely placed to lead it. We explore how learning shifts when teachers focus on agency, connection and the 4Cs creativity, critical reflection, communication and collaboration. Jamie highlights the importance of teaching beyond the PDHPE content; it's a powerful space for shaping identity, wellbeing and human connection. Even within tight systems, teachers can act as change agents through small, intentional practices that reimagine what PDHPE learning can be. Listen now: https://www.thelearnnet.com/158 Explore 4CTL work here: https://www.4ctransformativelearning.org/ Become a member and enjoy exclusive benefits: https://www.thelearnnet.com/memberships Connect with Jamie Gerlach on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jamie-gerlach-3b49a120b Learn more about 4C Transformative Learning: https://www.linkedin.com/company/4c-transformative-learning/

    51 min
  4. #157 Food Sustainability in NSW PDHPE: Building Healthier Habits for Life

    11/18/2025

    #157 Food Sustainability in NSW PDHPE: Building Healthier Habits for Life

    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 their education programs are reshaping the way young people think about food and responsibility. If you're ready to make food sustainability more meaningful in your PDHPE lessons, this episode will give you practical ideas and a renewed sense of purpose. Let's build healthier habits for life. Explore OzHarvest resources: https://education.ozharvest.org/ View the Slide Deck from the OzHarvest Presentation: https://education.ozharvest.org/wp-content/uploads/OzHarvest-FEAST-Fight-Food-Waste-Presentation-for... Check out the OzHarvest Brochure https://ozharvestltd.sharepoint.com/sites/Education/FEAST/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FEducatio... Get the Fight Food Waste Toolkit Here: https://education.ozharvest.org/fight-food-waste-toolkit/ Find out more about OzHarvest's NEST program: https://www.ozharvest.org/education/nest/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=7235275608&gclid=EAIaI... Find out more about the Nourish hospitality training program: https://www.ozharvest.org/education/nourish/

    39 min
  5. #156 How to Strengthen CAFS Responses for Band 5 & 6 Success

    11/11/2025

    #156 How to Strengthen CAFS Responses for Band 5 & 6 Success

    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 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.

    1h 5m
  6. #155 Why is CAFS Still Getting a Bad Rap in NSW Schools?

    10/29/2025

    #155 Why is CAFS Still Getting a Bad Rap in NSW Schools?

    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: thelearnnet.com/collective

    27 min
  7. #154 The Real Reason Why Teachers of PDHPE, HMS & CAFS Are Burnt Out

    10/14/2025

    #154 The Real Reason Why Teachers of PDHPE, HMS & CAFS Are Burnt Out

    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 not sustainable How The Empowered Teacher Framework TM can help you reclaim your time, energy and wellbeing Whether you're already running on empty or just want to avoid getting to that point, this episode is a must-listen. You don't have to do it all and you certainly don't have to do it alone. 🎧 Tune in now and start rewriting the story of what it means to be a teacher today. 🎁 FREEBIE & Shownotes: www.thelearnnet.com/154

    26 min
  8. #153 The 5 Power Moves Every CAFS Teacher Should Know

    09/23/2025

    #153 The 5 Power Moves Every CAFS Teacher Should Know

    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 back to students isn't enough and how real case studies change everything How to scaffold and model writing with the Glossary of Key Words so your students succeed with confidence These 5 strategies will help you simplify your prep, save time and most importantly create impact in your CAFS classroom.

    26 min
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About

Welcome to The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast  your weekly, fast‑action guide to thriving as a teacher of PDHPE, Community & Family Studies and Health & Movement Science in NSW. Host Kelly Bell has lived the challenges you face in teaching, after more than two decades in the classroom she rose to become NSW's trusted voice in PDHPE, CAFS and HMS, serving as HSC Supervisor of Marking and mentoring educators statewide. Each episode delivers time‑saving lesson frameworks, evidence‑based wellbeing strategies, assessment hacks and expert interviews so you can lift student outcomes, master the new syllabus and reclaim your afternoons, weekends and holidays. Whether you're brand‑new or a seasoned pro, tune in for practical, ready‑to‑use ideas that boost marks, reduce burnout and reignite your passion for teaching. 🔔 Free resources and show notes at thelearnnet.com.

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