7 Lessons Needed to teach PDHPE, CAFS & HMS for Sustainability

NSW PDHPE and CAFS teachers reflect on sustainability, burnout, systems and energy with practical lessons to support long term teaching success.

This week on The PDHPE & CAFS Podcast, I’m sharing something a little different.

Not strategies.
Not frameworks for students.
But lessons I didn’t expect to learn this year.

Because if I’m honest, this year stretched me. And I know it stretched you too.

We’ve crawled to the end of the year.
We’ve juggled new syllabuses, admin overload and the constant pressure to do more with less.
And somewhere along the way, sustainability stopped being a buzzword and became a necessity.

Here are the big lessons that changed how I think about teaching, leadership and longevity.

Support beats solo every time
Doing it all alone might feel quicker, but it’s never sustainable. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, head teacher or school leader, impact comes from teams, not heroics.

Systems matter more than you think
When systems live only in your head, everything falls apart the moment life happens. Clear, documented systems protect you, your faculty and your students.

Reconnect with why you started
In the middle of exhaustion, it’s easy to forget your purpose. This year reminded me that our work matters deeply and the ripple effect is real.

Stop playing small
Many of us limit ourselves to fit expectations. This year forced me to take up space, use my voice and trust my experience. That lesson applies to teachers too.

Asking for help is leadership
Burnout doesn’t come from caring too much. It comes from carrying too much alone.

Energy is not renewable
Your time and energy matter. Protecting them is not selfish. It’s essential.

Teaching is a marathon, not a sprint
There will always be more to do. Sustainability comes from pacing, boundaries and knowing when enough is enough.

If you want next year to feel different, we’ve created a free Goals & Intentions resource you can use for yourself or adapt for your PDHPE, CAFS or HMS students.

🎧 Listen to the full episode at thelearnnet.com/160
📥 Download the free resource at thelearnnet.com/goals
Explore memberships at thelearnnet.com/memberships

You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s make next year sustainable.