Numurkah Primary School

Policy 

Sunsmart Policy

SUNSMART POLICY

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to encourage behaviours at Numurkah Primary School to minimise the risk of skin and eye damage and skin cancer.

This policy provides guidelines to:

  • support staff and students to use a combination of sun protection measures when UV index levels are 3 or above (generally mid-August – end of April) 
  • ensure that there are outdoor environments that provide adequate shade for students and staff
  • ensure students are encouraged and supported to develop independent sun protection skills to help them to be responsible for their own protection
  • support our school’s strategies to meet its duty of care and occupational health and safety obligations to minimise harmful UV exposure and associated harm for students and staff. 

ScopE

This policy applies to all school activities, including camps and excursions. It is applicable to all students and staff. 

Policy

Excessive exposure 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 radiation:

  • cannot be seen or felt
  • can be reflected off surfaces such as buildings, asphalt, concrete, water, sand and snow
  • can pass through light clouds
  • varies in intensity across the year (highest in Victoria from mid-August – end of April)
  • peaks during school hours

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 (typically from mid-August to the end of April in Victoria).  Information about the daily local sun protection times is available via the SunSmart widget, the free SunSmart app, or at sunsmart.com.au or bom.gov.au.

Numurkah Primary School has the following measures in place to help reduce the risk of excessive UV sun exposure for staff and students. 

Shade

Numurkah Primary School will provide sufficient options for shelter and trees to provide shade on school grounds, particularly in places such as: 

 

  • where students congregate for eating at recess and lunch
  • the canteen
  • outdoor lesson areas such as the office and library courtyard
  • popular play areas – Junior and Senior playground
  • assembly areas
  • sporting grounds

When building works or grounds maintenance is conducted at Numurkah 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

Numurkah Primary School recommends that from mid-August to end of April, and whenever UV levels reach 3 and above, students come to school wearing sun-protective clothing such as:

  • loose, cool, closely-woven fabric
  • shirts with a collar and/or high necklines
  • tops with elbow length or long sleeves
  • longer style shorts and skirts
  • rash vests or t-shirts for outdoor swimming activities.

Numurkah Primary School’s school uniform and dress code includes sun-protective clothing, including:

  • loose, cool, closely-woven fabric
  • shirts with a collar and/or high necklines
  • tops with elbow length or long sleeves
  • longer style shorts and skirts
  • rash vests or t-shirts for outdoor swimming activities.
  • At recess and lunch times from September to April, and whenever UV levels reach 3 and above, all students must wear a bucket hat when playing outside.

Students are required to wear a school hat or another hat style that protects the face, neck and ears when outdoors, for example bucket hat. Students who are not wearing appropriate protective clothing or a hat may be asked to play in the shade or in a suitable area protected from the sun. 

Sunscreen 

Numurkah 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 according to manufacturer’s instructions. 

Numurkah Primary School has strategies in place to remind students to apply sunscreen before going outdoors for example reminder notices or sunscreen monitors. All classrooms are supplied with sunscreen which is regularly monitored and replaced when needed.  Staff and students who may suffer from allergic reactions from certain types of sunscreen are encouraged to bring their own to school to  reduce the risk of an allergic reaction while at school. 

Staff and families should role model SunSmart behaviour and are encouraged to apply SPF 30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen when outside.

Curriculum

Students at our school are encouraged to make healthy choices, and are supported to understand the benefits and risks of sun exposure. Numurkah Primary School will address sun and UV safety education as part of the Health Curriculum.

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. 

Engaging students, staff and families

SunSmart behaviour is regularly reinforced and promoted to the whole school community through newsletters, school website/intranet, staff and parent meetings, school assemblies, student and teacher activities and at student enrolment/new staff orientation. 

Families and staff are provided with information, ideas and practical strategies to support UV safety at school and at home. Numurkah Primary School may provide families and staff with information through newsletters school website, school assemblies. 

Further Information and Resources

Review Cycle

This policy was last updated on 15th June 2020 and is scheduled for review on June, 2023