Sun smart policy
Purpose
This sun smart policy has been developed to
• Encourage the entire school community to use a combination of sun protection measures in terms 1, 3 and 4
when the UV index in South Australia consistently reaches 3 and above.
• Work towards a safe school environment that provides shade for students, staff and the school community at
appropriate times.
• Ensure all students and staff have some UV exposure to vitamin D
• Assist students to be responsible for their own sun protection
• Ensure that families and new staff are informed of the school’s sun smart policy
Scope
This policy applies to all DECD employees working within or for the department and who enter or remain on DECD
sites, all current students of Woodcroft Primary School and all visitors at the site.
Policy detail
Rationale
The majority of skin cancers are caused by overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. A UV radiation level of 3 is high enough to cause skin damage to unprotected skin. The higher the UV radiation level, the greater
the potential for skin damage. Therefore, it is important to protect skin when the UV radiation level is 3 and above. In South Australia UV radiation levels of 3 and above occur during terms 1, 3 and 4. UV radiation levels of 3 and above may also occur from May to July.*
*Cancer Council of South Australia’s SunSmart Primary School Policy Guidelines.
Sun protection measures
In terms 1, 3 and 4, Woodcroft Primary School employees and students are required to use a combination of the following sun protection measures for all outdoor activities. These terms coincide with the period when UV radiation levels in South Australia are 3 and above.
In term 2, the application of the following sun protection measures are at the discretion of parents/caregivers.
Clothing
Sun protective styles of clothing are included in the school’s uniform policy. This includes shirts with collars and elbow length sleeves, and knee-length shorts. Rash tops or t-shirts over bathers are recommended for outdoor swimming activities
Hats
All students and staff are required to wear a hat that gives good cover to the face, neck and ears whenever they are outside. Broad brimmed (no cord attached), legionnaire or bucket style hats are recommended. Baseball caps or peak caps are not acceptable.
Students who don’t bring a hat to school will be asked to play in areas protected from the sun.
Sunscreen
• Students must provide their own SPF 30 or higher broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen.
• Sunscreen should be applied at least 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapplied every 2 hours if outdoors for an extended period.
• Teachers will encourage students to apply sunscreen before going outdoors.
• With parental consent, students with naturally very dark skin are not required to wear sunscreen to help with vitamin D requirements.
Shade
• There is a substantial amount of shade available within the grounds of Woodcroft Primary School for students to
take shelter from the sun. Students are encouraged to use these areas when outside.
• The school will periodically conduct a shade audit to determine the current availability and quality of shade.
Sunglasses (optional)
Students and staff are encouraged to wear close fitting, wraparound sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1067:2003 (Sunglasses: lens category 2,3, or 4) and cover as much of the eye area as possible.
Staff WHS and role modelling
As part of Woodcroft Primary School’s Workplace Health & Safety UV risk controls and role modelling, during
terms 1, 3 and 4:
• Wear sun protective hats and clothing when outside.
• Apply SPF 30 or higher, broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen.
• Seek shade whenever possible.
Families and visitors are also encouraged to use a combination of sun protection measures eg sun protective
clothing and hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and shade, when participating in and attending outdoor school activities.
Curriculum
• Programs on skin cancer prevention and vitamin D are included in the curriculum for all year levels.
• Sun smart behaviour is regularly reinforced and promoted to the whole school community through excursion and
camp information letters, school website, school assemblies, and student and teacher activities.
Monitoring, evaluation and review
This policy will be reviewed every 3 years (in accordance with the DECD policy framework) or earlier if required by
legislative or organisational imperatives.
Site managers will provide ongoing monitoring of their site’s compliance with this policy.
Definitions and abbreviations
UV – Ultraviolet light
WPS – Woodcroft Primary School
Department – Department for Education
Supporting documentation
SunSmart UV Alert: available as a free online SunSmart app via www.cancersa.org.au/sunsmart-apps in the
weather section of the newspaper or as a free widget to place on your website. The UV Alert shows when the UV is forecast to be 3 and above and sun proteciton times.
Creating effective shade: This online shade audit allows school’s to assess whether their existing shade is adequate. It also helps develop a list of practical recommendations to improve both built and natural shade.