Sun Smart Policy

Our SunSmart policy has been developed to ensure that all students and staff attending this school are protected from skin damage caused by the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. It is to be implemented throughout the year but with particular emphasis in Terms 1 and 4.

As part of general SunSmart strategies, our school will:

Behaviour

• Require children to wear hats that protect the face, neck and ears whenever they are outside (eg. recess, lunch, sport, and excursions).

• Work with the parent community to provide SPF 15+ (or higher) broad-spectrum, water resistant sunscreen for staff and students use.
• Encourage the daily application of sunscreen before school and prior to the lunch break.
• Encourage children to use available areas of shade for outdoor activities.
• Encourage staff and parents to act as role models by practicing SunSmart behaviours.

Curriculum

• Incorporate programs on skin cancer prevention into the curriculum at all grade levels.

• Regularly reinforce SunSmart behaviour in a positive way through newsletters, parent meetings, student and teacher activities.
• Ensure the SunSmart policy is reflected in the planning of all outdoor events (eg. camps, excursions, sporting events)

Environment

• Schedule outdoor activities before 11.00am and after 3.00pm during Terms 1 and 4 whenever possible.

• Organise outdoor activities to be held in areas with plenty of shade whenever possible.
• Work toward increasing the number of shelters and trees so as to provide adequate shade in the school grounds.

Evaluation

The School Council Uniform Sub-Committee will review the effectiveness of this policy each year.

They will: 

• Review the SunSmart behaviour of students, staff, parents, and visitors and make recommendations for improvement.
• Assess shade provision and usage and make recommendations for increases in shade provision.
• Update and promote curriculum material relevant to SunSmart activities.