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
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.
Deepen your content knowledge with guest experts working in the field the syllabus describes.
Collect teaching and learning strategies you can run in a Tuesday afternoon lesson, not theory you'll never use.
Unpack brand-new resources built for you and your students, alongside experienced CAFS teachers who get it.
β
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
Imagine ifβ¦
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.
What's included
Everything, sorted. You just turn up.
Your ticket covers the learning, the resources and the food. All you need to bring is a hat and the energy.
Two days of high-impact, syllabus-aligned professional learning
Expert guest speakers sharing insights, strategies and inspiration
Practical sessions delivered by experienced educators who get it
A CAFS network across NSW β the people you'll message all year
Gourmet morning tea and lunch on both days, overlooking the beach
Our Friday night networking event β relax and recharge with your people
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 forβ¦
Wherever you are in your CAFS journey
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.
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.
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
Collaboration
Work side by side with like-minded educators, spark new approaches and leave with strategies you can implement straight away.
Challenge
Be pushed to think differently about how Community and Family Studies is taught and experienced and help shape a future-focused syllabus.
Confidence
Leave equipped with the tools, resources and clarity you need to teach the syllabus with real impact and none of the second-guessing.
Connection
Build genuine connections with teachers across NSW who share your passion for CAFS. We're better when we learn and lead together.
βThe 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!β
Brooke
βAttending 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.β
Tanaya
βTeacher 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.β
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
Sessions subject to change
Day one
Thursday 15 October
8:30am
Welcome to Country
9:00am
Session to be announced
10:00am
Session to be announced
11:00am
Gourmet Morning Tea overlooking the beach
11:30am
Session to be announced
12:30pm
Session to be announced
1:00pm
Gourmet Lunch overlooking the beach
2:00pm
Session to be announced
3:00pm
Session to be announced
Day two
Friday 16 October
8:30am
Acknowledgement of Country
9:00am
Session to be announced
10:00am
Session to be announced
11:00am
Gourmet Morning Tea overlooking the beach
11:30am
Session to be announced
12:30pm
Session to be announced
1:00pm
Gourmet Lunch overlooking the beach
2:00pm
Session to be announced
3:00pm
Session to be announced
β
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
NSW HSC CAFS Supervisor of Marking, 2018β2022
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.
βͺ16 years classroom experience
βͺKβ10 PDHPE & CAFS syllabus implementation
βͺMaster in Educational Leadership
βͺB Exercise Science & Grad Dip Ed (PDHPE)
βͺFormer ACHPER NSW President
βͺSessional lecturer & marker, Western Sydney University
βͺNSW Outstanding Professional Service Award, 2014
βͺTextbook author
In their own words
Hear it from the teachers who were there
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 β 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 ThursdayBoth 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 daysFriday 16 October
One day
$440
Day two of the CAFS Conference 2026, plus morning tea, lunch and all session resources.
Join us FridayNeed it approved first? Download the support guide PDF to take to your head teacher.
NESA accredited
Professional learning hours that count
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
Whatβs 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
The last word from the staffroom
“
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
“
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