The beach and ocean at Killcare, where the CAFS Conference is held
Community and Family Studies 15 & 16 October 2026 Β· Killcare NSW

The CAFS Conference 2026

Empowering busy NSW Community and Family Studies teachers to confidently bring the course to life through practical application and experience the content first hand.

12 hours

NESA accredited PD across two days

4,000+

NSW teachers supported since 2007

Beachfront

Killcare Surf Club, Central Coast

Teachers laughing together at the 2025 CAFS Conference Hands-on workshop session Two teachers sharing ideas at a table The coastline at Killcare Kelly Bell presenting A teacher laughing during a session Teachers connecting between sessions Killcare headland

A CAFS experience like no other

You don't need more resources. You need to live the content.

Community and Family Studies is a course about real people and real lives. So we teach it that way. Every session at The CAFS Conference puts the syllabus in your hands: you do the activity, debrief it as a teacher, then walk out with the resource ready to run.

1

Deepen your content knowledge with guest experts working in the field the syllabus describes.

2

Collect teaching and learning strategies you can run in a Tuesday afternoon lesson, not theory you'll never use.

3

Unpack brand-new resources built for you and your students, alongside experienced CAFS teachers who get it.

Kelly Bell presenting at the 2025 CAFS Conference Teachers collaborating at the 2025 conference A hands-on practical session

β€œ

The conference was two full days of pure CAFS joy! Kell and her team delivered an exceptional experience. Every detail, from the engaging sessions and knowledgeable presenters to the fantastic location, resources, and sense of community, was outstanding. I will definitely be returning next year to do it all again.

Stef Β· CAFS teacher, 2025 attendee

Teachers connecting at the 2025 CAFS Conference

Imagine if…

Two days away from the day-to-day, entirely about your subject.

You could step away from the marking pile and immerse yourself in professional learning that actually deepens your knowledge of Community and Family Studies.

You could drive home with highly engaging strategies, ready-to-use resources and the clarity to deliver the syllabus with confidence.

You could do all of it alongside like-minded educators and leading experts, all working to transform the way CAFS is taught across NSW.

Secure your spot

Three minutes inside the room

See the 2025 conference for yourself

Inside the sessions

The people you'll meet

The food, the beach, the vibe

This conference is perfect for…

Wherever you are in your CAFS journey

New CAFS teachers in a session

New teachers

Kickstart your Community and Family Studies journey with confidence. Dive into the key content, build the essential skills and find a supportive community of educators who have been exactly where you are.

Lead teachers collaborating

Experienced teachers

You know the course. This is where you find fresh, engaging ways to deepen your impact and teach a genuinely holistic approach to the CAFS syllabus.

An experienced teacher enjoying a session

Lead teachers

Take back the clarity, tools and strategies to deliver high-impact CAFS across your whole faculty, and lead meaningful change for your students.

Why you should attend

Four things you can't get from a PDF

C

Collaboration

Plan beside teachers who get it.

C

Challenge

Rethink how CAFS is taught.

C

Confidence

Teach the syllabus without second-guessing.

C

Connection

A CAFS network on speed dial all year.

β€œThe CAFS Conference 2025 was by far one of the best professional learning opportunities that I have attended in my 20+ years of teaching. I look forward to next year!”

Brooke

β€œAttending the 2025 CAFS Conference has equipped me with invaluable resources, experiences, teaching and learning activities and connections that have assisted not only my own learning but increased engagement within my classroom.”

Tanaya

β€œTeacher training needs to move beyond talk and chalk. Finally, a PD where highly trained adults are engaged in the same creative ways they engage young people.”

Daniela Falecki Β· Teacher Wellbeing

Conference details

Two days on the Central Coast

Dates

Thursday 15 & Friday 16 October 2026

Where

Killcare Surf Club, Killcare NSW

How

Facilitated sessions with guest experts and experienced teachers

Why

To gain knowledge and skills you can use in your CAFS classroom tomorrow

Conference sessions

The two-day program

Presenters announced soon Β· sessions subject to change

Day one

Thursday 15 October

8:30 – 9:30

Aboriginal Connection, Culture & Community

9:30 – 10:30

Interrelationship between Wellbeing

10:30 – 11:00

Morning tea

11:00 – 12:00

School Based Assessment in CAFS

12:00 – 1:00

Effective teaching of Groups in Context

1:00 – 1:30

Lunch

1:30 – 2:30

Maximising Marks in Options

2:30 – 3:30

Power, Conflict & Gender Stereotypes

3:30 – 3:45

Close

Day two

Friday 16 October

8:30 – 9:30

Needs, Wants & Resources (practical)

9:30 – 10:30

Preparations, Styles & Roles in Parenting and Caring (practical)

10:30 – 11:00

Morning tea

11:00 – 12:00

Support for Homelessness & Families

12:00 – 1:00

CAFS Case Studies in Action

1:00 – 1:30

Lunch

1:30 – 2:30

Research Validity, Reliability & Sampling

2:30 – 3:30

CAFS Revision Strategies that Work

3:30 – 3:45

Close

β€œ

Attending the CAFS Conference is an incredible experience, whether you're new to teaching or have been delivering CAFS for many years. There are always fresh, innovative ideas being shared, and the connections you make are truly lifelong. Kelly and her team do a fantastic job of creating a warm, welcoming environment for everyone. This is one professional learning opportunity you simply can't miss!

Vivien Β· 2025 attendee

Teachers sharing a laugh at the 2025 CAFS Conference
Kelly Bell

NSW HSC CAFS Supervisor of Marking, 2018–2022

Your host

Kelly Bell

Kelly understands the challenges of teaching PDHPE and Community and Family Studies because she has lived them. Over two decades she went from classroom teacher to NSW's trusted voice in CAFS, PDHPE and Health and Movement Science.

Since 2007 she has supported more than 4,000 PDHPE and CAFS teachers and over 8,000 students across NSW β€” and she runs this conference the way she wishes someone had run one for her.

β–ͺ16 years classroom experience

β–ͺK–10 PDHPE & CAFS syllabus implementation

β–ͺMaster in Educational Leadership

β–ͺB Exercise Science & Grad Dip Ed (PDHPE)

β–ͺFormer ACHPER NSW President

β–ͺSessional lecturer & marker, Western Sydney University

β–ͺNSW Outstanding Professional Service Award, 2014

β–ͺTextbook author

In their own words

Hear why our CAFS teachers return every year

Video testimonial β–Ά Tap to play with sound
Video testimonial β–Ά Tap to play with sound

Secure your spot

Join us for an unforgettable experience

Come for a day, or come for the whole thing. Both days is the full experience and the better value.

Thursday 15 October

One day

$440

Day one of the CAFS Conference 2026, plus morning tea, lunch and all session resources.

Join us Thursday
The full experience

Both days

15 & 16 October Β· save $83

$797

The whole two-day experience: every session, all meals, the Friday night networking event and 12 hours of NESA accredited PD.

Join us both days

Friday 16 October

One day

$440

Day two of the CAFS Conference 2026, plus morning tea, lunch and all session resources.

Join us Friday

Need it approved first? Download the support guide PDF to take to your head teacher.

The Killcare headland, Central Coast NSW

NESA accredited

Professional learning hours

The Learning Network is a NESA recognised professional learning provider. Each day of The CAFS Conference contributes 6 hours of PD in the priority area of Delivery and Assessment of NSW Curriculum / EYLF.

Addressing standard descriptors 1.5.2, 2.1.2 and 5.1.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.

Frequently asked questions

The practical stuff

What’s included? +

One or two days full of high-quality professional learning sessions, guest experts, activities and networking. All of it accompanied by a scrumptious morning tea and lunch overlooking the beach on both days.

CAFS Collective members are also treated to a VIP dinner with Kelly and other members on the Friday evening.

Can I just attend one day? +

Yes, absolutely. You can purchase a ticket for Thursday, Friday or both days — simply select the option that suits. We would love to have your smiling face at both.

What food will be served? +

You will be spoilt with incredibly delicious and nutritious meals across the two days. What we have in store is wholesome and oh so tasty — you will not be disappointed.

We are more than happy to cater for any dietary requirements and will send out a form closer to the event.

What should I bring? +

Bring the vibe and the energy, ready for two jam-packed days of fun and learning.

Bring along any planning documents, assessment tasks or syllabus documents, either printed or on your laptop.

Wear comfortable clothing ready for practical sessions, and bring a hat. Photos are a must at these events, so bonus points for anything in our brand colours of navy, aqua and pink.

We will also have our CAFS polos for sale at the conference for $40.

What is the cancellation policy? +

Due to the organisation involved in an event like this, if you cannot attend we will still give you access to all resources, booklets and session materials, plus any extra goodies from the event posted to your school. If an emergency prevents the conference going ahead face to face, we will run it as a virtual event via Zoom on the scheduled days.

Where can I stay? +

There are loads of fabulous places around the Central Coast to book.

The Mantra Ettalong Beach is a 15 minute drive from Killcare SLSC and has organised a discount code for attendees — book online and use the code DIGGERS26 for 10% off the advertised rate, valid for stays between 15 and 16 October 2026. Promo codes are valid for online bookings only and require full prepayment.

The Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific is a 20–25 minute drive from Killcare and has a variety of room options.

Bells at Killcare Boutique Hotel, Restaurant & Spa is just up the road at Killcare Heights. This award-winning hotel has kindly offered a free upgrade and a gift on arrival for any two-night stay on 15–16 October — forward your booking confirmation to Deborah once booked.

There is also a large choice of places in Killcare and the surrounding area through Airbnb.

The results speak for themselves

Don't just take my word for it...

β€œ

I feel so invigorated and energised. Such a great experience, thanks to you. I felt valued amongst such an incredible group of educators.

Suz Langford

CAFS teacher

β€œ

Best day and best PD I've ever been to! Thanks soooooo much Kel, I can't wait for tomorrow. I haven't shut up to my husband about the tour, our goodies and the food.

Jessica George-Loulach

CAFS teacher

Ready to reimagine NSW CAFS?

Two days now. A whole year of better CAFS lessons after.

Over two dynamic days you'll build the confidence, clarity and capability to lead your students through the Community and Family Studies syllabus with purpose. Join a community of CAFS teachers from across NSW, all working towards the same thing.

I would so benefit from this