Purpose:
The purpose of this policy is to support sun protection behaviours at Laburnum Primary School to minimise the risk of health problems from sun exposure, including skin cancer.
This policy provides guidelines to:
Scope:
This policy applies to all school activities on and off-site, including camps and excursions. It is applicable to all students and staff.
Policy:
Overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause health problems including sunburn, damage to skin and eyes, and an increased risk of skin cancer. UV damage accumulated during childhood and adolescence is strongly associated with an increased risk of skin cancer in later life.
UV radiation:
Sun safety is a shared responsibility and staff, parents and students are encouraged to implement a combination of sun protection measures whenever UV levels reach 3 and above. Information about the daily local sun protection times is available via the SunSmart widget on the school’s website, the free SunSmart app, or at sunsmart.com.au or bom.gov.au.
Laburnum Primary School has the following measures in place for all outdoor activities during the daily sun protection times to help reduce the risk of overexposure to UV radiation for staff and students.
Shade
Laburnum Primary School provides sufficient options for shelter and trees to provide shade on school grounds, particularly in places such as:
Students are encouraged to use available areas of shade when outdoors during peak sun protection times, particularly if they do not have appropriate hats or outdoor clothing.
When building works or grounds maintenance is conducted at Laburnum Primary School that may impact on the level of shading available to staff and students, a review of the shaded areas available will be conducted and further shading installed as appropriate.
Sun protective uniform/clothing
Laburnum Primary School’s school uniform and dress code includes sun-protective clothing, including:
Laburnum Primary School's uniform and dress code applies on and off-site unless otherwise advised. When students are not required to wear school uniform (such as school camps, free dress day), Laburnum Primary School will ensure steps are taken to encourage students to wear sun-protective clothing whenever UV levels reach 3 and above.
Hats
From mid-August to 30 April, all students must wear a sun protective hat that shades the face, neck and ears for all outdoor activities. Hats may also be worn for all outdoor activities outside of this period, by parent or student choice.
Students are required to wear a school hat that protects the face, neck and ears when outdoors, for example broad- brimmed, legionnaire or bucket. Peak caps and visors are not considered a suitable alternative, as they do not protect the ears, cheeks or neck.
Students who are not wearing appropriate protective clothing or a hat will be asked to play in the shade or in a suitable area protected from the sun.
Sunscreen
Laburnum Primary School encourages all staff and students to apply SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen daily whenever UV levels reach 3 and above. Sunscreen should be applied at least 20 minutes before going outdoors, and reapplied every two hours (or more frequently if sweating or swimming).
Laburnum Primary School has strategies in place to remind students to apply sunscreen before going outdoors.
Curriculum
Students at our school are encouraged to make healthy choices. They are supported to understand effects of sun exposure and are encouraged to be involved in initiatives to promote and model sun protection measures to the whole school. Laburnum Primary School will address sun and UV safety education as part of our Inquiry program for all year levels.
Staff role-modelling and OHS
Staff are encouraged to access resources, tools, and professional learning to enhance their knowledge and capacity to promote sun smart behaviour across the school community.
UV radiation exposure is considered as part of our school's risk management and assessment for all outdoor events and activities, i.e. UV radiation protection strategies are included in school camp activities, excursions, sports days and interschool sports events.
Families and visitors
Families and visitors participating in and attendin goutdoor school activities are encouraged to:
Community engagement
SunSmart behavior is regularly reinforced and promoted to the whole school community through newsletters, school website, staff and parent meetings, school assemblies, student and teacher activities, and at student enrolment/new staff orientation.
Families, students and staff are provided with information, ideas and practical strategies to support UV safety at school and at home. Laburnum Primary School may provide information through newsletters, school website and school assemblies.
FURTHER INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Policy review and approval:
Policy last reviewed |
May 2023 |
Approved by |
School Council |
Next scheduled review date |
May 2027 |
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