Rationale
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can cause
sunburn, skin damage, eye damage, and skin cancer. Australia
has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world, with
two in three Australians developing some form of skin cancer
during their lifetime. Overexposure to the sun during
childhood and adolescence is known to be a major cause of
skin cancer.
The goals of the sun protection policy are to:
- Increase student and community awareness about skin
cancer and sun protection
- Encourage the entire school community to use a
combination of sun protection measures whenever UV Index
levels are 3 and above.
- Ensure a sun safe school environment that provides
shade for students, staff and the school community
- Assist students to be responsible for their own sun
protection
The daily UV Index can be found on the Bureau of
Meteorology website at www.bom.gov.au
Our sun protection strategies:
The sun protection policy is implemented all year round,
with a combination of the following sun protection strategies
used when the UV Index levels are 3 and above. Particular
care is taken from the beginning of August until the end of
May during the peak UV times of 10am to 2pm (11 am to 3 pm
daylight saving time) including:
Scheduling outdoor activities
- Where possible, outdoor activities (e.g. assemblies,
sport and physical education lessons) are scheduled outside
peak UV times of 10am - 2pm (11am - 3pm daylight saving
time) with planned activities taking place in the shade or
indoors.
- Sun protection is considered when planning all outdoor
events e.g. assemblies, camps, excursions, and sporting
events. Where possible, outdoor activities are held earlier
in the morning or later in the afternoon.
Shade
- The school community is committed to providing shade in
the school grounds. Shade is provided near the canteen,
hall and assembly area as well as over the games court.
- The school community will continue to plan for the
provision of shade areas.
- The availability of shade is considered when planning
excursions and all other outdoor activities.
- Students are encouraged to use available areas of shade
when outside.
- Students who do not have sun safe (school) hats are
required to play in the shade - near the hall and terraced
seating or on the games court.
Hats
- Students are required to wear regulation school hats
that provide protection for their faces, necks and ears
whenever they are outside.
- Students are encouraged to wear school hats when
travelling home, especially if walking.
Clothing
- Sun safe clothing is included in our school uniform and
sports uniform. School clothing is made of close weave
fabric and includes shirts with collars and longer sleeves,
longer style dresses and shorts. Students are required to
wear rash vests or t-shirts for outdoor swimming.
Sunscreen
- SPF 30+ broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen is
available for staff and student use. Where possible,
sunscreen is applied at least 20 minutes before going
outdoors and reapplied every two hours.
- Where possible, staff remind children to apply
sunscreen before arriving at school as well as before
recess, lunch and going outside.
- Under teachers' supervision, children apply sunscreen
themselves.
- The parents of children with sensitivities to some
sunscreens inform the school and provide suitable sunscreen
for their children's use.
Sunglasses
- Students are permitted to wear close fitting, wrap
around sunglasses that cover as much of the eye area as
possible, preferably meeting the Australian Standard 1067
(Sunglasses: Category 2, 3 or 4).
Early Intervention Students (preschool)
- Students will wear sun safe hats that provide
protection for their faces, necks and ears whenever they
are outside.
- Parents will be encouraged to apply sunscreen to
exposed skin prior to children arriving for their group
session.
- Students will have a maximum of 30 minutes sun exposure
during group sessions.
Role modelling of staff
Staff are asked to role model good sun protection
behaviours by:
- Wearing sun safe hats (or using an umbrella), sun safe
clothing and sunglasses when outside. Umbrellas are kept
beside the staffroom door.
- Applying SPF 30+ broad-spectrum water-resistant
sunscreen
- Seeking shade whenever possible.
Curriculum
- Teachers deliver a Sun Protection Unit in all K-6
classes at the beginning of Term 1 each year.
Information to the school community
- Sun protection information is regularly promoted within
the school community through newsletters, school homepage,
parent meetings, staff meetings, school assemblies and on
student enrolment.
- Families and visitors are encouraged to use a
combination of sun protection measures (safe clothing and
hats, sunscreen and sunglasses) when participating in and
attending outdoor activities including the athletics and
cross country carnivals.
Review
- School parent body, staff and students will regularly
monitor and review the effectiveness of the sun protection
policy (at least once every three years) and revise the
policy when required.
- Next policy review is June 2012.
Following consultation with staff (at a staff meeting)
and parents (at a P&C meeting) this policy was ratified by
the School Council in July 2009.