Rationale

Queensland has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Two out of every three Queenslanders will develop some sort of skin cancer in their lifetime. Research suggests that at least two-thirds of all melanomas occurring in Australia could be prevented if children were protected from the sun during their first 15 years.

Skin damage, including skin cancer, is the result of cumulative exposure to the sun. Research shows that severe sunburn contributes to skin cancer and other forms of skin damage such as sunspots, blemishes and premature ageing. Most skin damage and skin cancer is therefore preventable.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) levels are highest during the hours that children are at school.

With this in mind St Augustine's Parish Primary School realises the need to protect children's skin and educate them about SunSmart behaviour, thus reducing the risk of skin damage from exposure to the sun.

Aims

The policy aims to:

• provide ongoing education that promotes personal responsibility for skin cancer prevention and early detection
• provide environments that support SunSmart practices
• create an awareness of the need to reschedule work commitments and outdoor activities to support SunSmart practices.

Procedures

Our school recognises that winter sun also contributes to skin damage. The implementation of this policy will therefore be conducted throughout the year. The purpose of this SunSmart policy is to ensure that all children attending our school are, where practical, protected from the harmful effects of the sun throughout the year.

Our Commitment

St Augustine's Parish Primary School will:

• inform parents of the SunSmart policy when they enrol their child
  
• include the SunSmart policy statement in the school prospectus
  
• increase the amount of shade in the school grounds, where possible, by building shelters and planting trees
  
• incorporate education programs from preschool to Year 7 that focus on skin cancer prevention into the school curriculum
  
• encourage all teachers and staff to act as positive role models for children in all aspects of SunSmart behaviour
  
• seek ongoing support from parents and the school community for the SunSmart policy and its implementation, through newsletters, parent meetings etc.
  
• ensure that all pupils wear hats that protect the face, neck and ears, and SPF 15 or higher, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, when involved in outdoor activities
  
• insist pupils without adequate sun protection to use shaded or covered areas at recess and lunch times
  
• review the school dress code to conform with the Queensland Cancer Fund SunSmart clothing guidelines
  
• ensure that, wherever practicable, outdoor activities take place before 10 a.m. or after 2 p.m. (Australian Eastern Standard Time ~AEST)
  
• teachers do random hat checks to check hat is at school and in good repair
  
• ensure that adequate shade is provided at sporting carnivals and other outdoor events
  
• review the SunSmart policy annually
  
• encourage water intake
  
• Sunsmart staff representative to address staff twice a year to remind and update
  
• yearly visit from Qld Cancer Fund representative lessons to each grade
  
• posters displayed in Library to coincide with Health Promotions
  
• provide specific sunsafe sporting apparel for inter-school sport

Our Expectations

Parents/carers will:

• provide a SunSmart hat for their child and ensure that they wear it to and from school
  
• support the teachers in hat check routine
  
• ensure that their child applies SPF 15 or higher, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen 20 minutes before leaving for school
  
• reinforce "No Hat, No Play" rule
  
• ensure that their child's clothing provides adequate protection from UVR
• The Queensland Cancer Fund recommends clothing that has the following features:
  • dark-coloured
    
  • collars and sleeves
    
  • closely woven fabric
    
  • natural fibre
    
• encourage water intake act as positive role models by practising SunSmart behaviour
  
• endeavour to attend parent meetings focusing on sunsafe and its implementation
  
• support the school's SunSmart policy and help to design and regularly update the policy

Pupils will:

• be aware of the school's SunSmart policy
  
• take responsibility for their own health and safety by being SunSmart
  
• respond promptly to requests at hat checks
  
• comply with SunSmart rules and guidelines by wearing suitable hats, clothing, sunscreen and sunglasses
  
• apply SPF 15 or higher, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors
  
• use shaded or covered areas when outdoors
  
• act as positive role models for other pupils in all aspects of SunSmart behaviour
  
• help to design and regularly update the SunSmart policy
  
• participate in SunSmart education programs

* Considered and accepted by the St Augustine's Parish Primary School staff
* Considered and accepted by the St Augustine's Parish Primary School Parents & Friends Association 1999