HEALTH

OUR SUMMER SUN

We are not having the ‘hottest’ summer but… that does not mean the UV rays are not damaging our health. Given that February, March and April can provide a lot of sunshine, it is timely to remind our students to be SunSmart. 

We are frequently told by the Cancer Council of Australia that the sun’s harmful rays can have a damaging effect on not only our skin but on our overall health. Significant UV exposure occurs during childhood and adolescence due to the comparative sensitivity of the skin. 

Protection from overexposure can reduce their risk of developing skin and eye damage and skin cancer later in life. None of this is new to some of you and in fact, last October, I published an article with this information.

It is important to inform families who are new to the school that we do have adequate shade available for our students at school in our passive areas and in fact we are increasing our shade cloth areas. 

For those who may choose to walk around or play sport during lunchtime and recess, we encourage our students to wear their school hat and apply sunscreen if they are in the sun. 

We recommend that they apply sunscreen at home and bring it to reapply during the day if they are outside.

For best protection during the daily sun protection times (when the UV level is 3 or higher) use all five SunSmart steps below:

• SLIP on clothing
• SLOP on SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen
• SLAP on a hat
• SEEK shade
• SLIDE on sunglasses.

Enjoy the sunshine!

Susan Wilken 

Health Learning Area Manager