MELTON WEST PRIMARY SCHOOL

SUNSMART AND HEAT POLICY

The purpose of this policy is to encourage behaviours at Melton West 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 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.

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

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).  

This policy is to be read as part of our Student Dress Code.

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

• sufficient options for shelter and trees to provide shade on school grounds, particularly in places such as the pergola area and playgrounds
• students and staff are required to wear broad brimmed hats, that protect their face, neck and ears (at least 5-6 cm rigid brim). Peak caps and visors are not considered a suitable alternative.
• School Council approval for students to wear close fitting UV protection wrap around AS1067 sunglasses whenever they are outside.
• children without broad brimmed hats or appropriate clothing will be restricted to play in designated shaded area
• hot day timetable will be implemented on days of extreme heat
• staff and students are encouraged to apply SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen daily whenever UV levels reach 3 and above.

When building works or grounds maintenance is conducted at Melton West 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. 

Further Information and Resources

• School Policy Advisory Guide:
  • Sun and UV Protection Policy
  • Duty of care
  • SunSmart

This policy will be reviewed as part of our school’s regular three-year review cycle or more often if necessary due to changes in regulations or circumstances.

30 SPF SUNSCREEN AVAILABLE IN CLASSROOMS

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As part of our Sunsmart and Heat Policy, the school has supplied each classroom with a pump bottle of Cancer Council 30 SPF Sunscreen. Teachers will remind children that it is available for use on a regular basis, however children will be expected to apply their own sunscreen if they choose to use the school supplied.

I have included a copy of the brand we are supplying, with the list of ingredients so that you can advise your child/ren whether it is a brand that suits them. Some sunscreens have been known to cause skin reactions, so if you are aware that your child has issues with this particular brand or any of the ingredients you are free to supply your own sunscreen, which they can apply themselves.

Please let your child’s teacher know if you DO NOT want your child to have access to the sunscreen supplied by the school.

You may like to put the first application on at home as part of your daily routine, in case they forget to apply the school supplied sunscreen. 

PLEASE NOTE: Teachers will not be applying the sunscreen. They will remind the children it is available for their use.

Please chat to your child at home about how to apply sunscreen to the exposed areas of the skin.

Yours Sincerely

Michelle Costa

Principal

Melton West PS