Major sponsor:
Sponsors:
Exhibitors:
Potential exhibitors visit our 2025 conference exhibitor directory for details of sponsorship and exhibitor costs.
The ACHPER NSW annual K-12 PDHPE Conference is a chance to come together to learn, share and network.
The Conference will showcase the latest innovative pedagogies, strategies, research and evidence informing PDHPE. Expert presenters will translate evidence into practical ideas you can implement in the classroom the next day.
DETAILS
Date: Mon 24 and Tues 25 November 2025
Venue: Western Sydney University, Parramatta South campus
PROGRAM
Below is an outline of the 2025 conference program. You will be asked to select workshop preferences when purchasing your ticket.
2025 Conference Program
Day 1
8.00-8.30am - Registration, Auditorium foyer (Building EE)
8:30-8.45am - Conference opening and welcome, Auditorium
8:45-9:45am - Day 1 Keynote presentation, Auditorium
Education is changing at a dynamic pace. The mega trends of education are influencing learning, wellbeing, and engagement across the country.
Kristen will explore the unique challenges faced by educators in contemporary school communities and unpack concepts of whole school wellbeing, staff wellbeing, and personal wellbeing in the face of psychosocial challenges.
The keynote will provide an opportunity to learn some of the practical strategies of reducing cumulative stressors, re-balancing your central nervous system, and understanding emotional regulation.
Key messages include:
• Understanding stress responses and how they impact wellbeing
• Looking after yourself and looking after others
• ‘NIP it in the bud’ supportive conversations
• Practical tips and strategies for individual and whole staff wellbeing
Kristen Douglas, Head of headspace Schools & Communities (national)
Kristen Douglas is an Australian expert in education, mental health, suicide prevention, and crisis response. She has over 28 years of experience working across the education, health, government, and not-for-profit sectors. She has played a significant role in integrating mental health support within schools and has led national initiatives focused on child and youth mental health, principal and educator wellbeing, and large scale critical incidents and natural disasters.
9:50-11:00am - Workshop session 1 (select 1 option)
Primary PDHPE is most powerful when students can make connections between what they’re learning across different focus areas. This session supports teachers to plan and teach in ways that link concepts across health, wellbeing, and movement. Explore practical strategies to create cohesive learning experiences that build understanding and relevance for students from Early Stage 1 to Stage 3.
With a more explicit focus on consent and respectful relationships, the new syllabus can feel challenging to navigate. This session builds your confidence to teach these topics clearly and safely. Explore what’s changed, how to approach it, and leave with practical strategies you can use straight away.
This workshop explores how purposeful questioning and structured autonomy can shift students from passive participants to thinking players in Physical Education. Discover strategies that move beyond repetitive drills to foster decision-making, tactical awareness, and player ownership. Through practical examples and planning tools, you’ll learn how to design lessons that challenge students to think vritically, solve problems, and become active contributors to their own skill development and team dynamics.
This workshop focuses on how to strategically organise the HMS syllabus across Year 11 and 12 to ensure coherent learning and efficient use of time. Learn how to sequence content logically, prioritise key concepts, and create learning pathways that build deep understanding and long-term retention.
What might success in HMS look like? This session helps teachers unpack key clues from the syllabus and the sample HSC paper to better understand the expectations of the course. Explore how to identify conceptual priorities, anticipate cognitive demands, and make informed decisions about programming and assessment that support student readiness for the HSC.
Helping students move beyond formulaic responses is key to improving performance in CAFS. This workshop focuses on building students’ ability to write with clarity, depth, and purpose. Explore practical strategies to develop higher-order thinking, strengthen analysis, and move beyond basic scaffolds—so students can produce responses that reflect their understanding and push into higher bands.
11:00-11:25am - Morning tea
11:30am-12:40pm - Workshop session 2 (select 1 option)
Assessing fundamental movement skills doesn’t have to mean running students through drills. This session explores how to observe, measure, and meaningfully assess FMS through games and inclusive activities. Learn how to identify key movement elements, provide targeted feedback, and differentiate tasks so all students experience progress and success.
Workshop Full – please select another option
Teaching concepts like respect, consent, online ethical behaviours or pornography can be challenging, but with the right approach, they can be deeply impactful. This workshop unpacks evidence-informed strategies to support student learning, address common misconceptions, and create a safe, engaging classroom environment. Walk away with practical ideas and quality resources to confidently teach these sensitive areas in Years 7–10 PDHPE.
Health literacy is more than knowing facts—it’s about helping students make informed, confident decisions in their daily lives. This workshop explores modern, engaging approaches to authentically embed health literacy across PDHPE. Learn how to design activities that build students’ ability to access, understand, and apply health information in ways that are relevant, inclusive, and aligned with syllabus outcomes.
Workshop Full – please select another option
This session will provide an in-depth exploration of effective pedagogy for addressing the SDGs within the HMS Syllabus. Participants will be guided to unpack the reciprocal relationship between SDGs providing a framework for health promotion, and health promotion contributing to achieving the SDGs. There will be a significant focus on embedding teaching and learning activities that develop students critical thinking skills and deepen students understanding of SDGs. Participants will leave with practical activities and insights to enhance student engagement with the SDGs and their real-world relevance in promoting community health.
Collaboration shouldn’t begin and end with the Collaborative Investigation. This workshop explores how to embed purposeful, structured collaboration across Year 11 HMS to support deeper learning, critical thinking, and engagement. Learn how to design tasks and learning environments that use collaboration to build understanding—not just complete group work.
Kelly Pfeiffer, Education consultant
An innovative educator with years of experience, Kelly has a reputation for excellence in the classroom, and as a leader and networking champion. Kelly has a keen eye for emerging trends, and seeking creative ways to engage students and inspire learning. Kelly’s work includes designing engaging curricula using project-based learning and collaborative inquiry approaches.
Too often, students default to convenience over credibility. This workshop equips CAFS teachers with practical strategies to help students critically select research methodologies that align with their purpose, participants, and context. Move beyond checkbox surveys and support deeper, more authentic research in the IRP.
12:40-1:20pm - Lunch
1:20-2:30pm - Workshop session 3 (select 1 option)
Consent, media literacy and financial literacy are now essential components of the new K–6 PDHPE syllabus—but what do they look like in practice? This session helps teachers build clarity and confidence around these focus areas, with age-appropriate explanations, sample learning activities, and practical strategies to embed them meaningfully across stages.
Learn how easy it can be to engage classes of 30 students through a game-based approach. Understand ways to cater for varying abilities through differentiation and ensure students drive their learning. Build your confidence to deliver a unit of Tennis in schools to students of all year levels.
Physical Education is more than just movement – it’s a powerful context for developing critical thinking, collaboration, and communication to enrich the learning experience. This workshop unpacks practical strategies to embed the 3Cs into your PE lessons, helping students become more reflective, connected, and capable learners both on and off the field.
Tired of marking that drains your time without real impact? This session explores how Dylan Wiliam’s four quarters marking approach can streamline feedback, reduce workload, and strengthen formative assessment in PDHPE. Learn practical strategies to make marking sustainable, purposeful, and focused on what matters most – student progress.
Elle Smith, Project Officer, ACHPER NSW & Senior Learning Coach and PDHPE Teacher, St Andrew’s Cathedral School
Elle has over 15 years experience in education as a PDHPE teacher, including as an educational leader in teacher professional development and educational consultant with various organisations. Elle has been involved with the NESA Board Curriculum Committee for PDHPE and is a long-term content creator for the HSC PDHPE course with Edrolo. When not in the classroom, Elle leads whole school professional development programs for teachers and leaders to improve their teaching expertise and student outcomes.
Workshop Full – please select another option
This session focuses on preparing for implementation of the new PDHPE 7-10 syllabus. The session will include guidance on developing an effective scope and sequence and strategies for planning engaging, evidence-based teaching and learning programs. Participants will walk away with sample scope and sequences, programs and assessments ready to be adapted and implemented in their own school context.
This practical workshop unpacks the key changes in the new PASS syllabus and explores how it can serve as a strategic link between 7-10 PDHPE and the HMS course in Stage 6. Participants will analyse content progression, identify natural connections across the years, and walk away with curriculum mapping tools that support cohesive programming, deeper learning, and future-focused skill development.
Workshop Full – please select another option
This session unpacks how to design and deliver a case study that explores the interrelationship between body systems and movement. Learn how to guide students in applying their knowledge of anatomical and physiological systems to real-world movement scenarios, with practical strategies to support analysis, connection, and depth of understanding.
The 15-mark question often separates mid-range from top-band responses. This session breaks down exactly what teachers and students need to know, teach, and do to approach extended responses with confidence. Explore the key features of strong answers, common pitfalls, and practical strategies to build student skill and structure.
2:35-3.45pm- Workshop session 4 (select 1 option)
Skill development in primary PDHPE doesn’t have to mean line drills or formal sport. This workshop focuses on how to use inclusive, low-organisational games to teach and refine movement skills in meaningful, engaging ways. Explore how to modify games to target specific learning intentions—like balance, coordination, spatial awareness and teamwork—while keeping every student active, challenged, and having fun. You’ll leave with a bank of adaptable game-based activities and strategies that support skill progression, not just participation.
Creating a program is more than filling a scope and sequence. This session walks you through the process of mapping content to build cohesive, purposeful learning sequences. Learn how to align outcomes, structure progression, and connect concepts in ways that make learning stick.
Assessment in PDHPE should do more than measure recall—it should deepen understanding and reflect real-world application. This session explores how to design rich assessment tasks that are meaningful, aligned with outcomes, and engaging for students. Learn how to move beyond rote tasks to create assessments that promote critical thinking, skill development, and genuine learning.
This workshop focuses on how to foster opportunities for meaningful peer-to-peer conversations when teaching about mental health to normalise talking about emotions and reduce stigma among young people. Through reframing what mental health is (and what it is not), teachers will explore practical strategies for building interactive, supportive classroom environments, making learning more relevant and responsive to their needs.
Workshop Full – please select another option
This practical workshop unpacks the key changes in the new PASS syllabus and explores how it can serve as a strategic link between 7-10 PDHPE and the HMS course in Stage 6. Participants will analyse content progression, identify natural connections across the years, and walk away with curriculum mapping tools that support cohesive programming, deeper learning, and future-focused skill development.
This workshop unpacks the structure, intent, and key features of the ACHPER NSW Year 11 HMS unit, with a focus on practical classroom application. Whether you’ve purchased the resource or are considering it for your program, you’ll gain insight into how it supports syllabus outcomes, promotes collaboration, and builds readiness for Year 12. Walk away with adaptable strategies, teaching ideas, and a clearer understanding of how to make the most of this resource in your context.
This session unpacks the performance band descriptions for Community and Family Studies and explores what quality responses look like in practice. Learn how to make the performance bands visible and meaningful in the classroom by using them to guide feedback, support student self-assessment, and model high-quality responses. This session will equip teachers with practical strategies and insights to build student understanding of what constitutes a quality response and how to work towards it.
3:45-4:30pm – Networking, Auditorium foyer (Building EE)
Day 2
8:30-9.00am - Registration, Auditorium foyer (Building EE)
9:00-9:55am – Day 2 Keynote presentation, Auditorium
Gender-based violence has long been a problem in education settings; however, a recent surge, propelled by the popularity of misogynist content creators, has been observed in schools around the world. In Australia, we have had various curricula dedicated to gender-based violence prevention since the 1990s, and schools are understood to be key places where transformation and prevention can occur. However, the respectful relationships curriculum, informed by the best available evidence on violence prevention, is hindered by widespread and systemic implementation issues. In this talk, Dr Stephanie Wescott will draw on recent research exploring the harms of gendered violence in schools, the limitations of the implementation of respectful relationships curriculum, and suggest a way forward for educators who want to drive meaningful change in their classrooms and schools.
Dr Stephanie Wescott
Dr Stephanie Wescott is a leading feminist researcher at Monash University Faculty of Education’s School of Education, Culture and Society. With her colleague, Professor Steven Roberts, Stephanie led the world’s first study on the impact of Andrew Tate’s rhetoric in schools, and has since published widely on gender-based violence in school settings. Stephanie regularly speaks on panels, podcasts, and media platforms, and her research has led to global engagement with government departments, NGOs, violence prevention organisations and education settings. She is currently writing a book on misogyny in schools, which will be published by Routledge in 2026. She is a member of the Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre and an Affiliate Researcher at the Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Stephanie is a former government school English teacher and wellbeing leader.
10:00-11:10am - Workshop session 5 (select 1 option)
What’s the difference between teaching First Nations knowledge and First Nations perspectives – and why does it matter? This workshop unpacks this distinction and supports teachers to be a respectful ally in the classroom by integrating learning experiences that are authentic, meaningful, and culturally respectful. Explore key considerations when planning around knowledge and perspectives and consider ways to build your own cultural understanding.
Skill development is more than technique—it’s about connection. This session explores how structured collaboration can enhance movement learning in PDHPE. Discover strategies that use peer feedback, group problem-solving, and team-based challenges to build both competence and confidence in all students.
Workshop Full – please select another option
This workshop moves beyond knee-jerk reactions to the latest tech trends and focuses on how PDHPE teachers can lead meaningful conversations about the ethical use of AI. Explore how to build students’ digital responsibility, critical thinking, and agency through relevant, real-world examples in health, relationships, and movement. Walk away with practical strategies to embed ethical AI use into your teaching—intentionally, confidently, and with purpose.
Explore how student voice and choice can enhance engagement and ownership in Stage 6 HMS. This session focuses on practical strategies to embed agency within the Collaborative Investigation and Depth Study, while maintaining clarity, structure, and rigour.
This workshop explores a range of quality resources to support the teaching of Groups in Context with a focus on people living in rural and remote communities. Discover data sources, case studies, videos, and classroom-ready tools that bring this group’s experiences to life. Leave with practical materials and strategies to help students engage meaningfully with the content and apply it in assessments.
11:15-11:45am - Morning tea
11:50am-1:00pm - Workshop session 6 (select 1 option)
This workshop focuses on how to plan and deliver purposeful physical education lessons that maximise learning—not just movement. Explore strategies to structure lessons with clear intentions, use time effectively, and select activities that build skill, understanding and confidence. Say goodbye to busy work and hello to deliberate, effective PE.
This session supports teachers to refine their use of backward mapping to design outcome-aligned, concept-driven learning sequences. Explore how to connect content, pedagogy and assessment in ways that promote clarity, engagement and deeper understanding across a unit of work.
This workshop will explore the latest research highlighting the benefits of Outdoor Education and how it can be effectively integrated into school settings. Participants will also examine common challenges and walk away with practical strategies to overcome them.
Biomechanics doesn’t have to be boring or abstract. This session guides you through designing a clear, engaging learning sequence that helps students understand and apply key movement concepts. Learn how to link content to real movement experiences and build depth without overwhelming students.
This workshop moves beyond knee-jerk reactions to the latest tech trends and focuses on how PDHPE teachers can lead meaningful conversations about the ethical use of AI. Explore how to build students’ digital responsibility, critical thinking, and agency through relevant, real-world examples in health, relationships, and movement. Walk away with practical strategies to embed ethical AI use into your teaching—intentionally, confidently, and with purpose.
Workshop Full – please select another option
From predictive health tracking to digital health records and personalised interventions, big data is transforming the way we understand and deliver healthcare. This workshop explores how emerging technologies and data-driven approaches can be used as the basis for a rich and relevant depth study in the Health and Movement Science course. Participants will unpack real-world case studies, ethical considerations, and curriculum links that support critical thinking and future-focused learning.
With the release of the new Child Studies syllabus, this workshop explores how it can be strategically mapped to the CAFS course. Participants will examine the key changes in Child Studies and identify overlapping concepts, themes, and skills that support a smooth transition into Stage 6 learning. Walk away with practical programming ideas that strengthen curriculum alignment, promote deeper learning, and set students up for success in CAFS.
1:00-1:45pm - Lunch
1:50-3:00pm - Workshop session 7 (select 1 option)
Indigenous games offer rich opportunities to build cultural understanding, movement skills, and student connection – but too often, they’re taught as one-off lessons or standalone units. This workshop explores how to authentically and meaningfully embed Indigenous games across the PE curriculum throughout the year. Discover practical programming ideas, links to outcomes, and ways to ensure your approach is culturally respectful and sustained.
AI isn’t just a classroom tool—it can help reduce your administrative burden. This workshop explores practical ways to use AI to streamline everyday tasks such as writing unit outlines, generating risk assessments, creating parent communication templates, summarising syllabus content, drafting reports, and organising assessment rubrics. Learn how to save time without compromising quality, so you can focus more on teaching and learning.
This workshop provides teachers with strategies to differentiate teaching and assessment across all PDHPE courses. Learn how to design formative tasks that inform and guide instruction, create flexible activities that engage all learners, and implement approaches that support diverse learning needs. Walk away with a toolkit of ready-to-use strategies that help every student thrive in your classroom.
With a more explicit focus on consent and respectful relationships, the new syllabus can feel challenging to navigate. This session builds your confidence to teach these topics clearly and safely. Explore what’s changed, how to approach it, and leave with practical strategies you can use straight away.
Workshop Full – please select another option
This workshop explores how yearly training programs are designed and adapted across individual and team-based sports. Aligned with the Year 12 HMS inquiry question “How does training differ for individual and group sports?”, participants will engage with a case study approach to examine how physiological and psychological factors influence planning, periodisation, and performance outcomes. Practical strategies for teaching comparative analysis and supporting student application will also be shared.
What might success in HMS look like? This session helps teachers unpack key clues from the syllabus and the sample HSC paper to better understand the expectations of the course. Explore how to identify conceptual priorities, anticipate cognitive demands, and make informed decisions about programming and assessment that support student readiness for the HSC.
Move beyond textbook case studies and learn to build your own! This interactive session will guide participants through designing original, engaging scenarios aligned to the CAFS syllabus. Whether it’s exploring issues for carers, youth, or families using reproductive technology, case study creation empowers teachers to tailor content to student interests and current events. You’ll explore how these custom scenarios can be embedded in group tasks, flipped learning, and even assessment. Walk away with a toolkit of adaptable templates ready to use.
3:00-3:30pm - Conference plenary, prize draws and evaluation, Auditorium (Building EE)
INFORMATION FOR DELEGATES
- All delegates will receive email the week prior confirming logistics, workshop selections and access to materials.
- Campus map
- Public transport – see WSU website for options
- Carparking – at WSU Parramatta South Campus is free for delegates using parking area P1. A permit must be displayed – this will be provided in your delegate email pre event.
- Free Wifi available
- What to bring – laptop, charger, cables and drink bottle. Wear suitable clothing and footwear for light physical activity. Bring sunglasses, hat and sunscreen.
- Catering – morning tea and lunch are provided daily. Special dietary requirements – email us
- Accommodation – book directly (call or email) Novotel Sydney Paramatta and quote ACHPER to receive 10% off the best available rate.
ACCREDITATION
Attending the K-12 Annual Conference on both days will contribute 11 hours (5.5 hours per day) of elective PD in the priority area of Delivery and Assessment of NSW Curriculum addressing standard descriptors 2.1.2, 6.2.2 and 6.3.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.