The Sydney Adventist schools network is rallying around Leah Stewart, with schools across the city holding mufti days to support her recovery following a devastating shark attack at Sydney’s Coogee Beach.
Students at Hurstville Adventist School, where Ms Stewart serves as a teacher, will participate in a “Shine Bright for Miss Stewart” mufti day on Friday (June 26). The initiative has also been adopted by the other Adventist schools in Sydney: Wahroonga Adventist School, Hills Adventist College, Macarthur Adventist College, Sydney Adventist School Auburn and Mountain View Adventist College.
Students are being encouraged to wear bright colours or yellow, reflecting Ms Stewart’s love of sunshine and vibrant colours, and to bring a gold coin donation, with proceeds going towards supporting the much-loved teacher.
“Our hearts are with Miss Leah Stewart, her daughter, partner and her family,” shared Hurstville Adventist School principal Erika Ratu in a post on the school’s Facebook page last week. “Miss Stewart has a beautiful way of bringing joy and light into every space—she is deeply caring, advocates for others, and treats everyone with warmth and kindness. She is deeply loved by our students, staff and parents.
“We continue to hold Leah and her family in our prayers during this time, and we are so grateful for the outpouring of support, love and care from our wider community.”
The fundraising effort comes as Ms Stewart’s family shared encouraging news about her condition. According to an update yesterday on the GoFundMe page from her brother, Joshua Stewart, doctors were able to bring her out of an induced coma for a short period after reducing her sedation.
“After a week of life-support and repeat surgeries, doctors were able to extubate Leah and reduce her level of sedation,” he shared. This allowed Leah to share her first words ‘I love you’ with her mum and partner Fernando who have been by her side in ICU since the incident. Her first thoughts were with her daughter August and wanted to check she was OK. This is a lot faster than anyone expected, and for us this feels like a miracle and is everything so many of us have hoped and prayed for over the past week.”
According to Mr Stewart, his sister remains in ICU and will continue to require this high level of care and support for some time.
“She has undergone five days of surgery over the past week, and is scheduled for further surgeries today and more through the coming weeks,” he said. “Leah has a long road ahead and still remains in critical care, but this is such a positive first step and gives us hope for Leah’s long-term recovery. Again, thank you so much for everyone who continues to support Leah, through your care, prayer, love and generosity.”
