Inaburra Founders Lectures Inaburra School

In a world that seems to be spiralling increasingly out of control, is there a path to flourishing that rises above the chaos? The models of success we are told to chase are governed by internal desire, evaluated by external validation and surrounded by instability. There must be a better way. This presentation will set down a framework through which we can make sense of our rapidly changing world and re-envision success in a way that offers a deeper and more lasting fulfilment. Max Jeganathan is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity CPX. A former lawyer and political and policy adviser, Max was educated at the Australian National University and the University of Oxford and is undertaking a PhD in Law.

Max speaks on the intersection between faith, culture, economics, finance, technology and moral reasoning.

Max is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity CPX. A former lawyer and political and policy adviser, Max was educated at the Australian National University and the University of Oxford and is undertaking a PhD in Law.He has spoken in businesses, universities and political institutions, including Samsung, Lego, Goldman Sachs and Amazon. He loves movies, good wine with his wife Fiona and making his kids laugh.
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Hope is essential for a flourishing life but in our anxious and overwhelmed post-pandemic world, many are struggling to be hopeful. What can we do to nurture hope in ourselves and in young people?This talk explores recent psychological research as well as the wisdom of philosophers and theologians through history on the nature of hope, what is currently hindering our experience of it, and practical strategies to foster it.Guest speaker, Leisa Aitken, is a clinical psychologist, working in private practice. She has more than 20 years experience in counselling and also supervising in psychiatric hospitals and providing workplace support. She has spoken at many schools and churches with the aim of applying psychological research to real life dilemmas. She is about to finish a PhD on the psychology of hope, which incorporates philosophical and theological reflections of hope with her own research on hope in Australian society.

 

Presentation: https://www.inaburra.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Leisa-Aitken-Podcast-Supporting-Bio.pdf
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What does it mean to collaborate? Why is it critical to be an effective collaborator and how can we implement collaboration in our workplace or school?

This interactive presentation by Professor Michael Anderson focuses on broadening our perspective of collaboration. Michael discusses how intentional and deliberate strategies are necessary to embed a collaborative culture in the day-to-day workings of a workplace or school.

Professor Michael Anderson is an internationally recognised educational leader in school transformation processes. He is Professor of Creativity and Arts Education in the School of Education and Social Work at The University of Sydney and Co-Director of the CREATE Centre. 

Michael has taught, researched and published in education and transformation for over 20 years including 17 books and 55 book chapters and journal articles. His international research and practice focus on how the 4Cs (Creativity, Critical reflection, Communication and Collaboration) can be integrated using coherent frameworks to meet the needs of 21st Century learners. Michael's most recent work emerging from his research and partnerships with schools include Transforming Education (with Miranda Jefferson, Bloomsbury, 2021) and Transforming Schools (2017).
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In this lecture, Michael begins by looking at art as ‘true witness’ through George Gittoes’ collection of stories and drawings of the Kibeho massacre. He reflects on how the artist sought to write ‘as beautifully as possible’ in order to honour the humanity of those who suffered and explores how some ‘emotive regions could only be reached by drawing and painting’. After an historical exploration of the presence and absence of God in art over time, Michael speaks about the ‘hiddenness’ and revelation of God in the sufferings of Christ, suggesting that Jesus doesn’t just bear witness to us as an impotent bystander standing in solidarity, but as a fellow sufferer and victim, and that this offering of God’s presence is reflected throughout the ages in a constant aesthetic representation of beauty. 

Dr Michael Jensen is a pastor, author, public commentator, and theologian. He has served as the rector in the Anglican parish of St Mark’s Church, Darling Point since 2013; and was formerly a professor of theology at Moore College, Sydney. He completed a doctorate at Oxford University in 2008 and has published many books, including Martyrdom and Identity: The Self on Trial and My God, My God: Is it possible to believe anymore? He also regularly writes opinion pieces for news and media including ‘The Drum’ on the ABC. Alongside Megan Powell du Toit, he co-hosts the podcast With All Due Respect. 
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In this lecture, Mark gives a compelling case for the live performance as a ubiquitous form which highlights the importance of our human embodiment. He argues that art needs no justification, in the way that love needs no justification. Reflecting on a Christian theology of creation, Mark suggests that our impulse to ‘make something of the world’, or make culture, is an impulse born out of being divine image bearers. Creativity, not as a credential, but as a gift, underpins a democratic view that all art is worth making, not just that which is extraordinary, but also ordinary talent and small audiences, since the goal is actually that of community. 

Mark is currently a lecturer at SMBC. Prior to this he spent over a decade lecturing in theology and integrative studies at Excelsia College followed by a two-year stint serving as a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity. His doctoral studies focused on the theme of new creation within the book of Revelation, and his thesis, Annihilation or Renewal? The Meaning and Function of New Creation in the Book of Revelation, was published by Mohr Siebeck.

Mark is currently researching and writing on spiritual formation and the book of Revelation, representations of Jesus in contemporary culture, and the place of humility and hospitality in Christian thinking.
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In this lecture, Greg begins with a discussion of philosophical theology as it relates to music, creation and human striving. He talks about the ‘seriousness’ of the Arts, how they close in on meaning and evoke a sense of life’s significance. 

“Art seems to get closer to the soul. Stories suggest life is more than random. Movies suggest life is more magical. Music suggests life is more significant.” To explore the interplay between music and meaning, Greg highlights the creative work of U2’s Bono, and the Australian artist, Nick Cave. 

Dr Greg Clarke has spent thirty years exploring the connections between Christianity and the arts. Holding a doctorate in Literature from the University of Sydney, Greg has led university centres, media companies and charities striving to communicate Christianity in public contexts. His book The Great Bible Swindle was awarded the ‘Australian Christian Book of the Year’ in 2013. 
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