SUN SAFETY POLICY
1. Rationale
Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world, with many recorded deaths each year. Skin cancer and related skin damage are the result of frequent and unprotected exposure to the sun. By the age of fifteen years many children have developed irreversible skin damage due to exposure to the sun.
Most skin cancers and related skin damage can be prevented by protecting the skin from the sun and avoiding exposure when UV is at its highest in the middle of the school day.
Families, schools and communities share responsibility for the health, safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people in their care. The school community must work together to take all reasonable actions to protect students from risk of harm that can be reasonably predicted due to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
2. Outcomes
By reducing exposure to the sun and increasing the uptake of sun safe strategies, schools can make a significant contribution to community efforts to reduce skin cancer and related skin damage.
Our school supports students to understand why sun safety is important and to take action to protect themselves such as:
o reducing their exposure to the sun wherever possible
o wearing appropriate hats and clothing
o remaining in the shade wherever possible, particularly during peak UV times
o participating in sun protection activities
o using 30+ broad spectrum sunscreens worn from home and reapplied at school when necessary
Teachers, parents and carers and visitors to the school all have a role to model sun safety, for example, wearing a broad brimmed hat for school activities held outside.
Encouraging children and young people to practise sun safety is a shared responsibility. Whether in the backyard or on the beach, children and young people should wear a sun safe hat and sunscreen. By practising sun safety at home, parents and caregivers support the messages taught at school about sun safety.
Children and young people will come to appreciate the importance of sun protection not only during their schooling, but also throughout their life.
3. Implementation
In order to encourage positive sun safe behaviour in the students at Revesby South Public School, a number of recommendations have been developed to provide informed behaviours.
A ‘No Hat, Play in the Shade’ policy exists to protect all students during lunch and afternoon tea periods. Other recommendations include the following:
Primary School Sun Protection PolicyRecommendations / Implementing / Planning
Scheduling outdoor activities *
• Where possible, we schedule outdoor activities (assemblies, sport, PE, etc) outside peak UV times of 10am – 2pm (11am – 3pm daylight saving time).
• We consider all sun protection measures when planning outdoor activities and excursions. / ü
Shade *
• The school community is committed to providing shade (trees, built and portable shade structures etc) in areas where students gather – such as eating, outdoor teaching and popular play areas.
• We consult with the school community about future plans for shade.
• Students are encouraged to use the shade available when outside.
• The availability of shade is considered when planning all outdoor activities and excursions. / ü
Hats *
• Students are encouraged to wear sun-safe hats that protect the face, neck and ears when outside. Recommended sun-safe hats include legionnaire, broad-brimmed and bucket hats. Baseball caps are not recommended.
• Students who do not have a sun-safe hat are asked to play in the shade or a suitable area protected from the sun. / ü
Clothing *
• Sun-safe clothing is part of our school and sports uniforms. This includes shirts with collars or covered necklines, sleeves, longer style dresses and shorts, and rash vests or t-shirts for outdoor swimming. / ü
Sunscreen *
• Where possible, SPF 30+ broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen is available for staff and students.
• We encourage the use of sunscreen.
• Where possible, we apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outdoors.
• Students and teachers are encouraged to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when outdoors for extended periods. / ü
Role modelling of staff *
Staff are asked to role model good sun protection behaviours when outside. This includes:
• Wearing sun-safe hats, clothing and sunglasses.
• Applying SPF 30+ broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen.
• Where possible, seeking shade. / ü
Curriculum *
• Teachers include sun protection principles in teaching programs for all year levels. / ü
Informing the school community *
• Sun protection information is regularly promoted to the school community through newsletters, notice boards, online, parent meetings, staff meetings, school assemblies and on student enrolment.
• Families and visitors are encouraged to use a combination of sun protection measures (sun-safe hats, clothing, sunglasses and SPF 30+ broadspectrum water-resistant sunscreen) when attending or participating in outdoor activities. /
ü
Sunglassess (optional) *
• Staff and students are encouraged to wear close-fitting wrap-around sunglasses that cover as much of the eye area as possible and comply with Australian Standard AS1067 (Sunglasses: Category 2, 3 or 4). / ü
Review *
• School parent body and staff will regularly monitor and review the effectiveness of the Sun Protection Policy.
• The school’s Sun Protection Policy will be updated and submitted to Cancer Council NSW once every three years to maintain SunSmart status. / ü