Naveed Akram, 24, and his father Sajid Akram, 50, told their family they were going on a fishing trip before their bullets rained down on a Jewish festival on Sunday night. 

Sajid died at the scene following a short shootout with police, and Naveed remains in hospital under police guard with critical injuries. 

Forty-two others were injured in the attack, as many as 12 survivors are in a critical condition in hospital and three children remain in hospital.

Sydney’s independent school community has rallied to offer what support and it can to those affected by the tragedy.

Margery Evans, chief executive of Independent Schools NSW (ISNSW) said as a community of schools representing 15 different faiths and including schools of no faith, her association extends their heartfelt condolences to all those affected by yesterday’s horrific terrorist attack on Jewish families celebrating the first day of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach.

“Sydney’s five Jewish schools – Emanuel School, Kesser Torah College, Masada College, Moriah College and Mount Sinai College – are a small but important part of our thriving and diverse Independent schools sector,” Evans said in a statement.

“This morning, I spoke with the principals of each school to offer our support as they strive to hold their communities together in the wake of this appalling and senseless tragedy.”

 Evans said Sydney’s Jewish schools are “pillars of their communities, offering continuity, social and cultural connection for Jewish families with their heritage & with Australia’s customs and daily life”.

“They provide Jewish families with the opportunity to continue a tradition of community building and education that has thrived for millennia,” Evans said.

“Sadly, their valued place in Sydney’s Jewish life has too often attracted threats of violence towards their students and staff.”

The Independent Education Union of Australia (IEU) NSW/ACT Branch condemned the attack and the devastating loss of so many lives.

IEUA NSW/ACT Branch secretary Carol Matthews said her branch joins with the Australian union movement in condemning antisemitism and all acts of violence and hatred that take lives, harm people, and make people feel threatened and unsafe.

“Our hearts go out to our members, to teachers, support staff, students, and the broader Jewish community impacted by this shocking antisemitic attack,” Matthews said.

“We offer our condolences to all those directly impacted and their loved ones.”

Matthews said the union acknowledges the exceptional courage of all first responders, both emergency services workers and civilians whose actions prevented even more loss of life.

“Together with the broader union movement, the IEU stands with the Jewish community in Australia. We express our deep sorrow and heartbreak at this abhorrent attack targeting people gathered to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah.

“The IEU opposes all forms of violence, hatred, bigotry and racism.”

 Evans said Independent Schools NSW unequivocally condemns antisemitism and all forms of violence, particularly ethno-religious violence.

“Australians of all faiths and cultures have a right to practice their beliefs safely and to gather to commemorate their holy days free from threat and hatred,” she said.

Nine News has reported that a fundraising page has been set up for the 10-year-old girl killed in the attack.

The young girl has been identified as ‘Matilda’, according to her language teacher, who has launched a fundraising appeal for her mother and her family members.

“I knew her as a bright, joyful, and spirited child who brought light to everyone around her,” the teacher said on the fundraising site.

“Yesterday, while celebrating Hanukkah, her young life was tragically taken. Her memory will live on in our hearts.”

AAP