Skin Protection Policy
Skin Protection Policy
Australia has one of the highest incidences of skin cancer in the world, and at least two in three people are diagnosed with some form of skin cancer before aged 70. Sun exposure during childhood and adolescence is a critical factor in determining future skin cancer risk, and melanoma is the most common cancer in those aged 12-24 years.
It is estimated 95-99% of skin cancers are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Therefore, with adequately protecting the skin when the UV is 3 and above, many skin cancers can be prevented.
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all children and staff attending our school are protected from skin damage caused by harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Aims
Skin Protection Policy
The aims of the skin protection policy are to promote among students, staff and parents:
1. Positive attitudes toward skin protection.
2. Assist students to be responsible for their own sun protection
3. Ensure families and new staff are informed of the school’s skin protection policy.
This policy is to be implemented during Terms 1, 3 and 4, and whenever the UV index is 3 and above at other times. Staff and students are encouraged to check the daily sun protection times via the SunSmart app, www.myuv.com.au or www.bom.gov.au/sa/uv to assist with implementing this policy. When the UV is below 3, sun protection is not required to get some sun exposure for vitamin D.
General Skin Protection strategies
Children will:
Wear approved school hats (bucket or legionnaire hats), whenever they are outside, ie: recess, lunch, sports activities, excursions and camps. (With the exception of when the UV is below 3 in Term 2).
Keep their approved school hats at school (washed at the end of each term).
Sit in the designated shade areas if they do not have their hats.
Be encouraged to use available areas of shade for outdoor activities.
Students are required to use the school-supplied SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen 20 min before going outdoors and every 2 hours when remaining outdoors.
Have a sound understanding of skin cancer prevention through educational programmes incorporated within the curriculum.
Students are expected to wear the school uniform which offers adequate protection including tops with collars and longer style sleeves and longer style shorts, dresses and skirts. See the uniform policy for further details.
Staff will:
Act as positive role models by wearing broad-brimmed, bucket or legionnaire hats/use of sunshades, using SPF30 or higher broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, seeking shade wherever possible.
Staff will wear appropriate clothing that adequately protects the skin including tops with collars and elbow-length sleeves and longer style shorts, dresses and skirts.
Take into consideration the UV peak periods when planning outdoor activities.
Consider the availability of shade when planning outdoor activities and excursions
Encourage students to use class supplied sunscreen and allow time for the application of sunscreen.
Incorporate programmes on skin cancer prevention in their curriculum and reinforce regularly the skin protection policy in a positive way through newsletters, student and teacher activities.
Encourage students to seek shade
Adults working at the school will be encouraged to wear hats when the UV is 3 and above.
Parents will:
Be informed of the skin protection policy when enrolling their children.
Provide a hat for their children’s use (to and from school) – approved school hats to remain at school.
Be required to provide SPF30 or higher broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen for their children (if class supply is inappropriate).
Be encouraged to practise skin protective behaviour themselves and act as positive role models.
Our school community will:
Provide more shelters and appropriate shade trees within the school environment.
Actively promote and role model the skin protection policy.
Make provisions in the school budget to support the skin protection policy,
ie; sunscreen, shelters, trees etc.
Summary
At Nailsworth Primary School we wear hats for all outside activities unless the UV level is below 3 in Term 2 when hats are worn by personal choice or the UV level is greater than 3.
We believe that this policy assists families to understand the risks of exposure to the sun as well as the importance of vitamin D.
Next Policy Review: July 2021