Faith and Positive Psychology Conference 2010

In association with Chaplains in Anglican Schools (CIAS), the Victorian Association of Religious Education (VARE), and the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, Geelong Grammar School invites you to attend the inaugural Faith and Positive Psychology Conference.

Conference Details

Date: Tuesday July 27 2010, 9.30am - 3.45pm
Location: Geelong Grammar School, Corio Campus
Guest Speakers: Dr Craig Hassed and Rev’d Dr Hugh Kempster

What is Positive Psychology?
“A meaningful life is one that joins with something larger than we are – and the larger that something is, the more meaning our lives have” – Professor Martin Seligman, University of Pennsylvania.

Positive Psychology is the scientific study of strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive. Founded by Professor Martin Seligman in 1998, Positive Psychology has three central concerns:

• positive emotions - through the study of contentment with the past, happiness in the present, and hope for the future
• positive individual traits - through the study of character strengths and virtues
• positive institutions - through the study of the strengths that foster better communities

Geelong Grammar School has collaborated with some of the world’s leading psychologists, including Professor Seligman, to implement Positive Education – a whole school approach to teaching and learning based on Positive Psychology. In association with the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, Chaplains in Anglican Schools, and the Victorian Association of Religious Education, Geelong Grammar School invites you to explore the theological implications of Positive Psychology at the inaugural Faith and Positive Psychology Conference.

What will the Conference look at?
The conference will comprise two key note speakers and a series of workshops looking at the applications of Positive Psychology to: Teaching, Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy.

Rev'd Dr Hugh Kempster is Senior Chaplain at Geelong Grammar School and a teacher of Positive Education. His research interests include contemplative prayer and the Middle English Mystics. Since 2008 Hugh and his colleagues have been integrating Positive Psychology into the worship, pastoral and religious studies programmes across the School's four campuses. Hugh will deliver a keynote presentation on Faith and Positive Psychology - theological reflections on the science of Positive Psychology.

Dr Craig Hassed, is a General Practitioner and Senior Lecturer at the Monash University Department of General Practice. His teaching, research and clinical interests involve mindfulness-based stress management, mind-body medicine, meditation, holistic healthcare, health promotion, complementary therapies and medical ethics. Craig will lead a keynote presentation on Mindfulness, Meditation and the Science of the Brain, which will be followed by a mindfulness workshop.

Conference Programme

Limited places are available at the Conference. For further information please contact Elaine Pearson on +61 3 5227 6222