The 5 Power Moves Every CAFS Teacher Should Know

Teaching Community and Family Studies (CAFS) is one of the most rewarding parts of our work as Community and Family Studies teachers in NSW. It can also be one of the most overwhelming.

When I first started teaching Community and Family Studies in 2004, I was fresh out of uni and given a syllabus document and the purple textbook. That was it. No professional learning, no roadmap, no guidance. Like many of us, I relied on the textbook, endless note copying and a lot of “chalk and talk.” My students worked hard, but I knew they weren’t reaching their full potential.

Now, after 21 years of teaching and working alongside hundreds of Community and Family Studies teachers across NSW, I’ve seen what really works in a Community and Family Studies classroom. In my latest podcast episode, I share five power moves that every Community and Family Studies teacher should know and I want to give you a taste of them here.

1. Ditch the Textbook as Your Main Teaching Tool

Textbooks can be a good reference, but they’re outdated the moment they’re printed. Instead of relying on them, focus on practical resources, engaging activities and real-world examples that make the course content come alive.

2. Stop Making Students Copy Notes

Copying notes wastes time and disengages learners. Provide notes or structured booklets so you can use your lesson time for discussion, application and deeper learning.

3. Don’t Just Talk At Students

Lectures switch students off. Hook them in from the moment they enter your classroom with a thought-provoking question, a clip, a quote or even just rearranging the space. The goal is to spark curiosity so they lean into the lesson.

4. Look Beyond Your Students’ Own Lives

While student-centred examples can be helpful, Community and Family Studies requires broader exposure. Use case studies and scenarios from different family structures, carers, communities and contexts. This builds the skills students need for assessment and exams.

5. Explicitly Teach Writing in the “CAFS Way”

Don’t assume students know how to write in the style Community and Family Studies demands. They need explicit modelling, scaffolds, Glossary of Key Words and step-by-step practice. Writing is a skill and it must be taught, not guessed.

Why These Power Moves Matter

These five shifts aren’t about working harder. They’re about working smarter. They save you time, deepen student understanding and help set your class up for stronger outcomes in both Year 11 and Year 12 Community and Family Studies.

But this is just the beginning. Inside the podcast episode, I unpack each of these moves in detail and share stories, strategies and examples from my own classroom that you can take straight back to yours.

Next Steps

To explore these strategies further and see them in action:

• For in-person learning, the 2025 CAFS Conference offers the perfect opportunity to experience practical workshops, connect with other teachers and refine your approach: www.thelearnnet.com/conference
  
• Join us inside The CAFS Collective where resources and mentoring are available year-round: www.thelearnnet.com/collective
  
• You can also dive deeper into this conversation by listening to the full episode here: www.thelearnnet.com/153