Sun Protection (Students)

The Hazard - Sun Exposure

Too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun causes sunburn, skin damage and increases the risk of skin cancer. Sun exposure in the first 15 years of life contributes significantly to the lifetime risk of developing skin cancer. Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Skin cancers account for 80% of all new cancers diagnosed in Australia each year. Melanoma is the most diagnosed cancer for 15 – 44 year olds.

St Joseph's Primary School's Policy
St Joseph's Primary School is committed to providing a safe working environment for all our students, workers and visitors.

It is our policy to:
increase student and community awareness about skin cancer and sun protection;
encourage the entire St Joseph's Primary School Goulburn community to use a combination of sun protection measures;
work towards a safe St Joseph's Primary School Goulburn environment that provides shade for students, staff and the St Joseph's Primary School Goulburn community;
assist students to be responsible for their own sun protection; and
ensure that families and new staff are informed of this policy.
Sun Protection Strategies

St Joseph's Primary School has developed the following sun protection strategies:

General
Staff and or students check the daily UV reading. This is added to our school homepage.
All students and staff use a combination of sun protection measures throughout the day to ensure they are well protected. Particular care must be taken in summer months
between 10 am and 3 pm when UV levels reach 3 and above.
This policy is considered when planning all outdoor events (e.g. assemblies, camps, excursions and sporting events).
Shade
St Joseph's Primary School Goulburn makes sure there is sufficient shelter and trees providing shade in the St Joseph's Primary School Goulburn grounds particularly
in areas where students congregate (e.g. lunch areas, canteen, outdoor lesson areas and popular play areas).
Shade provision is considered in plans for future buildings and grounds.
The availability of shade is considered when planning excursions and outdoor activities.
Students are actively encouraged to use available areas of shade when outside. Students who do not have appropriate hats or outdoor clothing are asked to stay in an area protected from the sun.
Hats
Students are required to wear hats that protect their face, neck and ears whenever they are outside.
Recommended sun-safe hats include legionnaire, broad-brimmed and bucket hats. Baseball caps do not offer enough protection and are not recommended.
Students who do not have an appropriate sun protective hat will be asked to stay in shaded areas only.
Sunscreen
Whenever it is anticipated that students may be exposed to direct sun for any extended period, and therefore the potential of sunburn, their parents/carers will be requested to provide SPF 30+(or greater) broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen.
SPF 30+(or greater) broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen will also be made available for staff and students’ use in these circumstances.
Sunscreen should be applied at least 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapplied every two hours as required or more often if sweating or in the water. Time will be allocated sunscreen application prior to outdoor activities.
Sunglasses
Close-fitting wrap-around sunglasses that comply with Australian Standards AS 1067:2003 (Category 2, 3 or 4) are encouraged but optional.
Role Modelling
Staff act as role models by using a combination of sun protection measures as outlined above when the UV level is 3 or above.
Families and visitors are also encouraged to use a combination of sun protection measures (sun protective clothing and hats, sunglasses and sunscreen) when participating in and attending outdoor St Joseph's Primary School Goulburn activities.
Curriculum
Sun protection and skin cancer awareness programs are incorporated into appropriate areas of the St Joseph's Primary School Goulburn curriculum.
Students are encouraged to be involved in initiatives to promote and model sun protection measures to the whole St Joseph's Primary School Goulburn community.
Sun safe behaviour is regularly reinforced and promoted to the whole St Joseph's Primary School Goulburn community through newsletters, St Joseph's Primary School Goulburn public website, parent meetings, staff meetings, St Joseph's Primary School Goulburn assemblies, student and teacher activities and on student enrolment.
Uniform
Sun protective clothing is included in the St Joseph's Primary School Goulburn uniform and sports uniform. This includes clothing with:
elbow length sleeves;
shirts and tops that cover shoulders, with a collar that sits close to the neck, above the collarbone;
appropriate hats;
appropriate sunglasses; and
other appropriate sun protective clothing.
Refer to Uniform Policy.
Scheduling and Excursion Planning
Sun protection is considered when planning all excursions. Refer to Excursions Policy.
Healthy UV Exposure Balance
St Joseph's Primary School recognises that a level of UV exposure is necessary to maintain health. To help maintain adequate vitamin D levels sun protection measures are not
required unless the UV index level reaches 3 and above. Sun protection is required when in alpine regions, near highly reflective surfaces such as snow or water, or outside for extended periods.
Workers' Responsibility
All workers must follow the guidelines as set out in this policy.
Implementation
This policy is implemented through a combination of:
staff and student training and awareness of issues relating to skin and safe sun exposure;
principles of sun protection taught as part of the curriculum in Personal Development Health and Physical Education;
implementation of sun protection measures;
effective notification procedures;
effective communication procedures;
effective record keeping procedures;
audit of the physical environment as per School Registration and Review process; and
initiation of corrective actions where necessary.
Discipline for Breach of Policy
Where a staff member breaches this policy St Joseph's Primary School may take disciplinary action.