Rationale:
The Moorooduc Primary School Community believes that the staff and students attending the school should be protected from skin damage caused by the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. A healthy balance of ultraviolet radiation (UV) exposure is important for health. Too much of the sun’s UV can cause sunburn, skin and eye damage and skin cancer. Overexposure to UV during childhood and adolescence is a major factor in determining future skin cancer risk. Too little UV from the sun can lead to low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is necessary for the development and maintenance of healthy bones and muscles, and for general health.
Aims:

To increase student and community awareness of cancer risks and of practical means of protection.

To develop curriculum programs on skin cancer prevention.

To work towards a safe school environment that provides shade for students, staff and the community at appropriate times.

To encourage staff and parents to act as role models and practise SunSmart behaviour.

To encourage the development of independent sun protection skills.

To develop strategies to protect students and staff from too much UV exposure using a combination of sun protection measures whenever UV levels reach 3 and above.

To provide suitable clothing including sunglasses on the compulsory school uniform list.
 To ensure that new families and staff are informed of the school’s Sunsmart Policy.

To ensure that all staff and students maintain a healthy balance between too little and too much
UV radiation from the sun.

To support OHS strategies to minimise UV risk and associated harm for staff and visitors.
F: Policies / sunsmart09

Implementation:
Shade
1.
Students are encouraged to use available areas of shade for outdoor activities
2.
SunSmart ideas are considered in the planning of outdoor events both on and off site.
3.
Future planning of outdoor areas consider SunSmart ideas and work towards increasing the number of shelters and trees.
4.
Care is taken when scheduling outdoor activities between 11am and 3pm.
Clothing:
5.
Students are required to wear the school uniform, wide brimmed hats, which protect the face, neck and ears and are encouraged to wear sunglasses whenever they are outside from the beginning of
September until the end of April and whenever the UV index is 3 or above.
6.
Sun protective clothing items are offered for sale as part of the school uniform.
7.
Staff are required to wear wide brimmed hats, which protect the face, neck and ears and are encouraged to wear sunglasses whenever they are outside from the beginning of September until the end of April and whenever the UV index is 3 or above.
8.
Children who do not have their hats with them will be directed to the green seat.
Sunscreen:
9.
Students, staff and parents are encouraged to wear SPF 30 (or higher) broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen.
10.
With parent consent students with very dark skin are not required to wear sunscreen.
11.
Parents are encouraged to provide a ready source of sunscreen and teachers are requested to allow time for application at least 20 minutes prior to students venturing outside and two hourly after that.
12.
The school provides SPF 30 or higher broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen for staff and students on days when students are engaged in sports activities off site.
13.
Staff are to remind students to apply sunscreen before going outside at recess, lunch and for sporting events.
Curriculum:
14.
Curriculum programs incorporate SunSmart ideas, the importance of vitamin D and information about skin cancer prevention.
15.
Sunsmart behaviour is reinforced and promoted throughout the school community via newsletters, assemblies and on enrolment.
16.
Programs on skin cancer prevention are included in the curriculum for all year levels.
17.
SunSmart behaviour is reinforced through newsletters, student and teacher activities. SunSmart tips will be included as will a daily UV index reading when appropriate.
F: Policies / sunsmart09

18.
Staff and students are encouraged to access the SunSmart app and local sun protection times at www.sunsmart.com.au
Evaluation:
The Education Sub Committee will:

Review this policy as part of the school’s three-year review cycle.

The next review will take place in October 2017

Review the SunSmart behaviour of students, staff, and visitors and makes recommendations for improvements.

Assesses shade provision and usage and make recommendations to the Buildings and Grounds committee.

Update and promote curriculum material as it becomes available.
Resources

Water Safety Program materials

AntiCancer Council Information kits
 http://www.sunsmart.com.au/
This policy was last ratified by School Council in....
2014
F: Policies / sunsmart09