Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese mourns the loss of Diocese of Parramatta Bishop Emeritus Kevin Manning who passed away yesterday. Bishop Manning who attended and studied for the priesthood at St Columba’s College Springwood, served as Bishop of Parramatta from 1997 to 2010.
Through his leadership, characterised by compassion and commitment, Bishop Manning left an indelible mark on the Parramatta community. He was the Patron of the Bishop Manning Support Fund, a charitable fund established in 2007 by Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese to receive tax-deductible donations to provide financial assistance for families in the Diocese who would like a Catholic education for their children, but for whom the cost is out of reach.
Executive Director of Catholic Schools Jack de Groot served alongside Bishop Manning on the Australian Catholic Social Justice Council during the 1990s. He said Bishop Manning’s commitment to equitable access to Catholic schooling and contribution to education in the Diocese of Parramatta leaves a proud legacy.
"Bishop Manning’s personal experiences deeply informed his advocacy for Catholic Social Teaching, particularly regarding workers' rights," said Jack. "His time in Armidale also fueled his commitment to supporting First Australians, highlighting the injustices of poverty and discrimination."
One of seven children, Bishop Manning left school at 14 to work and support his family. These early experiences of hardship, coupled with a desire to share what little he had with those in need, shaped his profound commitment to social justice. Bishop Manning was a strong advocate for workplace relations, social justice and especially his careful fostering of good relations with Muslims.
Diocese of Parramatta Curia member Sr Patty Andrew OSU served as Principal of Holy Family Primary Luddenham during the time Bishop Manning led the Diocese and says his ability to connect through shared experience exemplified his dedication to community.
"One fond memory I have is from a special Holy Family Luddenham Parish anniversary celebration in the mid-1990s," said Sr Patty. "During Mass, Bishop Kevin made a profound connection with the congregation, sharing a personal story from his youth when, as a young seminarian, he worked on the construction of the Warragamba Dam during his holidays. This experience allowed him to spend time with the labourers, and he emphasised how much he learned from them. His heartfelt reflections resonated deeply with the working-class community gathered that evening."
Former Executive Director of Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta Greg Whitby AM KSG fondly remembers Bishop Manning as a good pastor with “clarity of purpose for Catholic schooling”. He also admired Bishop Manning’s leadership on interfaith dialogue, observing that this is such a relevant focus for our times.
Former Executive Director of Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta Dr Anne Benjamin worked with Bishop Manning during his time in Armidale and for a long period when he was Bishop of Parramatta and paid tribute to his legacy of supporting school communities.
“I remember Bishop Kevin as a pastor who made a priority for the wellbeing of children in our schools,” said Anne. “He supported the work of teachers and put trust in our staff. We shared a mutual respect and regard."
“We will continue to honour Bishop Manning’s legacy through the Support Fund in his name,” Jack de Groot added. “Bishop Manning stood with people who experienced disadvantage and had such solidarity with people doing it tough. The Support Fund provides practical support for families who struggle with costs associated with schooling such as uniforms and technology.”
Learn more about the Bishop Manning Support Fund
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au
-
17 Jun 2026
Try a Career Day @ CathWest Loyola Campus
Year 10, are you curious about trying a career...? Register for CathWest's 'Try a Career Day' at the CathWest Loyola Campus!
07 Dec 2023
Join our Alumni Association
Former and current staff and students are invited to register today!
Instagram | CCC
Latest News More news
23 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Congratulations to the Caroline Chisholm College Girls Rugby League team on their outstanding 36–0 victory over St Columba's on Thursday 18 June. The team displayed excellent confidence, skill, and determination throughout the match, with every player contributing positively to the result. Their teamwork, commitment, and sportsmanship were evident from start to finish, making it a fantastic performance by all involved. Well done on securing a convincing win and an excellent start to your campaign as you aim to win this competition for the third consecutive year.
23 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Embracing the paddock-to-plate philosophy, our Year 7 Food Technology (E) students designed and prepared their own nutritious breakfast dishes, with each recipe featuring eggs as a key ingredient. This practical experience encouraged students to make connections between food production and consumption while developing essential kitchen skills. From planning ingredients and managing time effectively to working safely and independently in the kitchen, students demonstrated responsibility and creativity throughout the lesson. The result was a fantastic range of healthy, delicious breakfasts that showcased both their skills and understanding of the project brief.
23 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Our Year 7 Food Technology (D) students put their creativity and nutritional knowledge to the test by designing and preparing their own healthy breakfast. Throughout the practical lesson, students developed essential kitchen skills while taking responsibility for planning their ingredients, managing their time effectively, and working safely in the food preparation environment. It was fantastic to see students applying their learning in a hands-on setting and producing a range of nutritious and delicious breakfast dishes.
23 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Our Year 7 Food and Agriculture students enjoyed a productive morning on the farm, rolling up their sleeves to clear weeds from the garden beds and help prepare the space for future planting. Students had the opportunity to meet our baby calves and feed the chickens. A wonderful hands-on learning experience connecting students with agriculture, sustainability, and animal care!
22 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Yr 8 sport - Ag club are gearing up for the upcoming shows! They have been using sport time to practice animal handling and showmanship, learning haltering techniques, how to secure animals using slip knots and applying grooming basics and calm handling techniques.
22 Jun 2026
From Facebook
7TechA students are finishing off the semester clearing the garden beds in preparation for winter crops.
22 Jun 2026
From Facebook
It was a special treat today to welcome back former College Captain, Sofia, to Caroline Chisholm College, alongside Kenny from the University of Technology Sydney Future Student Outreach Team. Students enjoyed an engaging and comprehensive showcase of the many exciting study options available at UTS, spanning Business, Communication, Social Science, Engineering, Health, Law...and many other emerging fields. They also discovered UTS's innovative transdisciplinary approach to learning, which empowers students to combine disciplines and develop the adaptable skills needed for the future workforce. Students heard about the many opportunities available beyond the classroom, including scholarships, internships, cadetships and industry partnerships, as well as the range of admission pathways that can help them access their chosen degree. A big thank you to Sofia and Kenny for inspiring our students and providing valuable insights into university life and future career possibilities!
22 Jun 2026
From Facebook
On Friday 19 June, the Year 12 Advanced English classes set out on a journey, Looking For Richard - Richard the third that is!! And after a train ride and a trek they found him at the Seymour Centre! The Sport for Jove team presented an amazing and enlightening performance of several scenes from the play, along with a detailed analysis of key elements of the context, language and story behind the play. Everyone left with a deeper understanding of the perspectives and ideas covered and plenty of new information to consider while preparing for their Trial Exams next term.
22 Jun 2026
From Facebook
Students in Year 10.6 History presented to their peers on the influence of the United States and Great Britain on Australian popular culture during the 1940s and 1950s. Through their presentations, students explored how some aspects of culture demonstrated continuity, while others reflected significant social and cultural change. Presentation topics included Motown music, surfing culture, the hippie movement, rock and roll, and protest songs. Students enjoyed sharing their research in creative and engaging ways, showcasing both their knowledge and presentation skills. To conclude the lesson, students participated in a range of fun activities, including Kahoot! and a five-minute drawing challenge featuring Michael Jackson. These activities provided an enjoyable and interactive way to celebrate and conclude their final History lesson for the year.
22 Jun 2026
From Facebook
🚨 Final reminder for CCC Day Tokens! 🚨 📲 Where: Qkr! App ⏰ Deadline: Midnight tomorrow, Tuesday 23rd June 📥 Distribution: In Homeroom on Friday 26th June Don't miss out! Get your tokens before the day to avoid Eftpos lines.
19 Jun 2026
From Facebook
19 Jun 2026
From Facebook
This week, Caroline Chisholm College proudly celebrated NAIDOC Week, reflecting on this year’s theme, “50 Years of Deadly” — honouring five decades of celebrating the strength, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our Djuramin Group delivered a powerful cultural performance after learning traditional dances with Jumikah and Hannah from Jannawi. Their sequence of Darug dances — Welcome, Burradowee Eel Spirit, Colebee, and Farewell — was a meaningful highlight of the celebration. We sincerely thank Jarara Cultural Centre and Captivate for their ongoing support in enriching these cultural learning experiences and special thanks to Alicia Smith from Jarara for her insightful discussion about Weaving and its' important role in Women's Business as part of their Indigenous culture. Students and staff also enjoyed a showcase of outstanding Technology and Applied Studies (TAS) creative works, celebrating innovation, engineering, design and craftsmanship across the KLA. The assembly also recognised excellence in Representative Sport, celebrating Season 1 representative sport and acknowledging the outstanding achievements of our teams and Most Valuable Players. A wonderful celebration of culture, creativity and achievement across our College community.
Browse Categories