St Flannan's Sunsmart Practices

ST FLANNAN’S SUNSMART PRACTICES

Rationale

Queensland has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Two out of every three Queenslanders will develop some sort of skin cancer in their lifetime. Research suggests that at least two-thirds of all melanomas occurring in Australia could be prevented if children were protected from the sun during their first 15 years.

Skin damage, including skin cancer, is the result of cumulative exposure to the sun.  Research shows that severe sunburn contributes to skin cancer and other forms of skin damage such as sunspots, blemishes and premature ageing. Most skin damage and skin cancer is therefore preventable.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) levels are highest during the hours that children are at schoo

With this in mind St Flannan’s School realises the need to protect children’s skin and educate them about SunSmart behaviour, thus reducing the risk of skin damage from exposure to the sun.

School Practices

  • inform parents of the SunSmart practices when they enrol their child
  • include the SunSmart practices in the school enrolment package
  • increase the amount of shade in the school grounds, where possible, by building shelters and planting trees
  • play breaks are limited to 20mins to reduce sun exposure between the hours of 10am and 2pm.
  • encourage all teachers and staff to act as positive role models for children in all aspects of SunSmart behaviour
  • seek ongoing support from parents and the school community for the SunSmart practices and its implementation, through newsletters, parent meetings etc.
  • ensure that all students and staff wear hats that protect the face, neck and ears, and SPF 50 or higher, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, when involved in outdoor activities
  • school will provide SPF 50 sun cream in each classroom and at high risk events with regular reminders to reapply and stay sun safe
  • review the school uniform to conform with the Queensland Cancer Fund SunSmart clothing guidelines
  • insist a SunSmart swimsuit is used for swimming lessons e.g. swim shirt (This is optional for competitive races e.g. Carnivals)
  • review the SunSmart practices annually.
  • create an awareness of the need to reschedule work commitments and outdoor activities to support SunSmart practices.
  • Promote education programs that focus on skin cancer prevention into the school curriculum e.g. Cancer Council visits.
  • encourage personal responsibility for students to apply sunscreen and wear hats.
  • Register school as a SunSmart School with Cancer Council.
  • Provide environments that support SunSmart practices.

 

Roles and Responsibilities

 Teachers will:

  • incorporate education programs that focus on skin cancer prevention into the school curriculum
  • act as positive role models for children in all aspects of SunSmart behaviour
  • ensure that all students wear hats that protect the face, neck and ears, and SPF 50 or higher, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen, when involved in outdoor activities
  • insist students without adequate sun protection (e.g. hat) to use shaded or covered areas at recess and lunch times. No Hat – No Play.
  • ensure that, wherever practicable, outdoor activities take place before 10am or after 2pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time [AEST])
  • ensure that adequate shade is provided at sporting carnivals and other outdoor events

Parents/carers will:

  • provide a SunSmart hat for their child and ensure that they wear it to and from school.  The Queensland Cancer Fund recommends the following hats: 8-10cm broad-brimmed
  • ensure that their child applies SPF50, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen 20 minutes before leaving for school (High Risk Activities - sustained exposure - camp, athletics, swimming, Fun Run, Cross Country, Excursions)
  • act as positive role models by practising SunSmart behaviour
  • support the school’s SunSmart practices and help to design and regularly update the policy.

Students will:

  • be aware of the school’s SunSmart practices
  • take responsibility for their own health and safety by being SunSmart
  • comply with SunSmart rules and guidelines by wearing suitable hats, clothing, sunscreen
  • apply SPF 50 broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen before going outdoors for High Risk Activities - sustained exposure - camp, athletics, swimming, Fun Run, Cross Country, Excursions
  • act as positive role models for other students in all aspects of SunSmart behaviour
  • help to design and regularly update the SunSmart practices
  • participate in SunSmart education programs.
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