SUNSMART POLICY 2022
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to encourage behaviours at Alamanda College 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 during term one and four
- 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.
Implementation:
- This policy is to be read as part of our Student Dress Code.
- Children will be required to wear approved close-weave bucket hats during terms 1 and 4 whenever they are outside.
- Staff will act as role models by also wearing broad brimmed hats when outside.
- Children without broad brimmed hats will be restricted to play in designated shaded areas.
- Children will be actively encouraged to wear a broad-spectrum water resistant sunscreen (SPF30+). Sunscreen will be provided in each classroom, and on excursions. Sunscreen will be applied by students according to the manufacturer’s directions, under the supervision of teachers.
- School Council will also investigate the use of close fitting UV protection wraparound sunglasses as an optional item for both students and staff.
- Whenever possible, outside activities on hot days should be scheduled before 11:00 am.
- The school council will provide adequate shade structures for students as practicable; particularly over high density play areas such as sand pits and play equipment.
- The school newsletter and school assemblies will be used to highlight and reinforce the sunsmart policy.
- Sunsmart activities and sun protection will form part of the Health and Physical Education curriculum at all year levels.
- Our school will seek out accreditation as a Sunsmart school at the Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria.
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 vic the free SunSmart app, or at sunsmart.com.au or bom.gov.au.
Alamanda College has the following measures in place to help reduce the risk of excessive UV sun exposure for staff and students.
Shade
Alamanda College will provide sufficient options for shelter and trees to provide shade on school grounds, particularly in places such as:
- where students congregate for lunch
- the canteen area
- outdoor lesson areas including the deck and out side classrooms
- all playgrounds
When building works or grounds maintenance is conducted at Alamanda College 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
Alamanda College recommends that in term one and four, and whenever UV levels reach 3 and above, students come to school wearing sun-protective clothing such as:
- their summer uniform (please refer to uniform policy for specific items)
- all students must wear a sun protective school hat that shades the face, neck and ears for all outdoor activities. School hats may also be worn for all outdoor activities outside of time outlined by parent or student choice.
- As we are a secondary school, we expect students 7-9 to take responsibility for being SunSmart by wearing a school hat during outdoor activities or staying in the shade, if they are not wearing sunscreen.
Sunscreen
Alamanda College 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.
Alamanda College has strategies in place to remind students to apply sunscreen before going outdoors
At Alamanda College students are welcome to attend the schools sickbays or office area to access sunscreen. Staff and students who may suffer from allergic reactions from certain types of sunscreen are encouraged to apply or supply their own appropriate sunscreen 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. Alamanda College will address sun and UV safety education.
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.
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.
COMMUNICATION
This policy will be communicated to our school community in the following ways:
- Available publicly on our school’s website
- Included in staff induction processes
- Included in transition and enrolment packs
- Discussed at parent information nights/sessions
- Reminders in our school newsletter
- Hard copy available from school administration upon request
FURTHER INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
- the Department’s Policy and Advisory Library:
- SunSmart
POLICY REVIEW AND APPROVAL
| Policy last reviewed | Jan 2022 |
| Approved by | College Principal and School Council |
| Next scheduled review date | Jan 2025 |
