Sun Protection Policy

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart values sun safety. Within play areas there are options for the children to be in shaded areas. Our school rules make wearing a hat compulsory at morning tea and lunchtime. We strongly recommend that hats are also worn before and after school and that sunscreen be applied at home each morning and reapplied at morning tea and lunch time. 

Rationale 

 

Each Catholic community, organisation and individual collaboratively engaged in the educational ministry of the Church in the Archdiocese of Brisbane is called to: 

 

Teach 

We promote faith in Jesus Christ, teaching and learning about Jesus, the gospel and the faith of the Catholic Christian community.  Learning is lifelong, life-giving and engages the whole person. 

 

Challenge 

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, we challenge those we educate to live in communion with God, others and the whole of creation in prayerful, sacramental, just, peaceful, inclusive and reconciling communities. 

 

Transform 

We educate for a transformed world in communion, by nurturing the gifts and potential of each person, enacting shared leadership, and exercising a preferential option for the poor and the marginalised. 

 

The Vision Statement for Catholic Education above underpins and guides the development and implementation of this policy. 

 

Sun Protection Policy Statement 

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 cancerous 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 school. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Primary School realises the need to protect children's skin and educate them about Sun Smart behaviour, thus reducing the risk of skin damage and exposure to the sun. 

Aims 

The policy aims to: 

  • provide ongoing education that promotes personal responsibility for skin cancer proven and early detection. 

  • provide environments that support Sun Smart practices. 

  • create an awareness of the need to reschedule work commitments and outdoor activities support Sun Smart practices. 

Procedures 

Our school recognises that winter sun also contributes to skin damage. The implementation of the policy will therefore be conducted throughout the year. The purpose of the Sun Smart policy is to ensure that all children attending our school are protected from the harmful effects of the sun throughout the year.  

We will also minimise the risk of sun damage to our students by 

  • increasing the amount of shade in the school grounds, where possible, by building shelters etc. 

  • planting trees. 

  • incorporating education programs that focus on skin cancer prevention into the school curriculum. 

  • encouraging all teachers and staff to act as positive role models for children in all aspects of Sun Smart behaviour. 

  • ensuring that all students and staff wear hats that protect the face, neck and ears, and are encouraged to wear sunscreen. 

Our Expectations  

Responsibilities of Students   

Students will:  

  • Take responsibility for their own health and safety by being SunSmart.  

  • Comply with SunSmart rules and guidelines by wearing suitable hats, clothing, sunscreen.  

  • Apply SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen when requested to by the teacher.  

  • Act as positive role models for other students in all aspects of SunSmart behaviour.  

  • Provide their own SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen.  

  • Strategies are in place to remind students to apply sunscreen before going outdoors (e.g. reminder notices, sunscreen monitors, sunscreen buddies). Sunscreen is applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions.  

  

Responsibilities of Parents/Carers   

Parents/Carers will:  

  • Provide an OLSH School SunSmart hat for their child and ensure that they wear it to and from school.  

  • Ensure that their child applies SPF30 or higher, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen 20 minutes before leaving for school.  

  • Act as positive role models by practising SunSmart behaviour  

  • Provide SPF30 or higher broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen for students to apply at school.  

  • Support the School’s Sun Protection policy  

 

Responsibilities of the School   

The school staff will:  

  • Act as positive role models for children in all aspects of SunSmart behaviour.  

  • Seek Shade: Make sure there are sufficient shelters and trees providing shade in outdoor areas particularly in high-use areas 

  • Ensure that all students wear hats that protect the face, neck and ears.  

  • Provide regular reminders to reapply (every 2hrs), when they are involved in outdoor activities e.g., Playtime, sports carnivals, excursions.   

  • Encourage children to provide their own sunscreen and apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors.   

  • Insist students without adequate sun protection (e.g., hat) use shaded or covered areas at recess and lunch times. No Hat – No Play.  

  • Ensure that, wherever practicable, outdoor activities will be minimised between 10am and 3pm (Australian Eastern Standard Time [AEST]).  

  • Ensure that adequate shade is provided at sporting carnivals and other outdoor events.  ​

​