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
-
30 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Dear School Community, This is a request to all families to take just 15 minutes to complete the ECSI Quickscan Survey. The ECSI Quickscan is a survey tool used to capture a snapshot of the attitudes, perceptions, and experiences of students, staff, families, and leaders regarding the Catholic identity of their school. We understand life is busy, but if you haven’t yet had a chance, please consider setting aside a short window of time today or tomorrow to support us. If it is more convenient for you to take the survey at school, you are welcome to come in anytime this week and will be provided with a computer and a quiet space. Thank you for supporting our school in this important way. St Finbar's Community
26 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Our adventure at The Collaroy Centre was packed with action, laughter, and a whole lot of courage. From zooming down the flying fox to strategising in laser tag, swinging sky-high on the giant swing, conquering the rock wall, and balancing bravely on the high ropes course — our students have done it all! But the real highlight? Watching them step outside their comfort zones, tackle challenges head-on, and cheer each other on every step of the way. Whether it was a nervous first climb or a triumphant finish, the teamwork and encouragement were nothing short of inspiring. Safe to say, we’ve got a group of resilient risk-takers who aren’t afraid to reach for the top… or swing from it!
LATEST NEWS More news
30 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Dear School Community, This is a request to all families to take just 15 minutes to complete the ECSI Quickscan Survey. The ECSI Quickscan is a survey tool used to capture a snapshot of the attitudes, perceptions, and experiences of students, staff, families, and leaders regarding the Catholic identity of their school. We understand life is busy, but if you haven’t yet had a chance, please consider setting aside a short window of time today or tomorrow to support us. If it is more convenient for you to take the survey at school, you are welcome to come in anytime this week and will be provided with a computer and a quiet space. Thank you for supporting our school in this important way. St Finbar's Community
26 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Our adventure at The Collaroy Centre was packed with action, laughter, and a whole lot of courage. From zooming down the flying fox to strategising in laser tag, swinging sky-high on the giant swing, conquering the rock wall, and balancing bravely on the high ropes course — our students have done it all! But the real highlight? Watching them step outside their comfort zones, tackle challenges head-on, and cheer each other on every step of the way. Whether it was a nervous first climb or a triumphant finish, the teamwork and encouragement were nothing short of inspiring. Safe to say, we’ve got a group of resilient risk-takers who aren’t afraid to reach for the top… or swing from it!
24 Mar 2026
700+ Unite for Project Compassion Big Water Walk
More than 700 students and staff from 23 schools across Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) came together for Caritas Australia’s Big Water Walk in support of Project Compassion. Beginning at Parramatta Park, students carried buckets of water along a 4km route, gaining a glimpse of the daily journey faced by people in developing communities, especially women and children, in search of clean water.
17 Mar 2026
From Facebook
At St Finbar’s today, learning was in full swing and full of energy! ✨ Our classrooms were buzzing as students tackled challenging Maths problems, stretched their creativity through Writing, and explored important ideas in Health. From deep thinking to collaborative discussions, every lesson was an opportunity to grow, question, and achieve. It’s always inspiring to see our students so engaged, curious, and willing to give things a go. A fantastic day of learning across the school! 👏📚
16 Mar 2026
From Facebook
CHANGE OF DATE! check your Compass app for more details. Students will continue to wear their lots of socks for World Down Syndrome Day!
10 Mar 2026
NAPLAN: What Parents Really Need to Know
Each March, families across Australia hear a lot about NAPLAN. The National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. But what does it really mean for your child in 2026?
09 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Walk for Water – Walking in Solidarity On Friday, our students took part in a Walk for Water as part of our learning connected to Project Compassion. This experience helped raise both student and community awareness about the reality faced by many people around the world who do not have reliable access to clean water. Throughout the walk, students demonstrated a deep understanding of why we were participating. Many were able to confidently explain that access to clean water is not simply a convenience, but an essential resource for survival and human dignity. By walking together as a school community, we symbolically stood in solidarity with those who must travel long distances each day to collect water for their families. The experience helped students connect their learning with compassion and action, recognising that even small acts can contribute to a more just and dignified world.
08 Mar 2026
From Facebook
06 Mar 2026
From Facebook
Walking in Solidarity | Project Compassion Water Walk Today our students will take part in a Water Walk around our school, as part of Project Compassion. Carrying containers of water, students will experience in a small way what many people around the world must do each day just to access this basic necessity. This activity helps our students reflect on the importance of human dignity and the need to stand in solidarity with communities who lack access to essential resources like clean water. Together, we continue to live out our call to care for others and work towards a more just and compassionate world. #ProjectCompassion #CaritasAustralia #Solidarity #HumanDignity
02 Mar 2026
From Facebook
26 Feb 2026
From Facebook
Over the last decade, mindfulness has been slowly rising in popularity with many individuals practising it on a regular basis. Evidence based research has found that there are many benefits to mindfulness which has prompted schools across the nation to implement this practice into their daily routines. Mindfulness can be described as attention training for your brain, enabling you to focus on something without judgement and to stimulate curiosity. Mindfulness can be practised in a number of ways and is something that can be done by everyone - no matter what your age! It has been practised by many cultures around the world, but it is not exclusively affiliated to any particular philosophy or religion. Mindfulness helps improve memory, engagement and performance. Its positive effect on the brain can improve immunity, mental wellbeing, learning ability, emotional health and even, time management. It is especially important in this era of information overload as our attention is constantly being pulled in many directions making us more distracted. In this edition of SchoolTV, parents can learn the best way to introduce this mindfulness to their children, implementing into their daily lives to have an overall positive impact on family relationships. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help. Here is the link to the Mindfulness edition of SchoolTV
22 Feb 2026
From Facebook
Our Year 6 students are really shirt-ing the standard this term! 👕✨ Looking sharp in their brand new shirts, they’ve been leading the way in sportsmanship out on the playground at lunch. Showing fairness, teamwork and respect in every game. We’re so proud of the positive example they’re setting for our younger students. Keep it up Year 6, you’re truly dressed for success and leading the way! 🙌 Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese