Sun Protection Policy

Help for non-English speakers

If you need help to understand this policy, please contact Donald Eddington, Principal. Non-English speakers can also access Google translate at the bottom of this web page.

 

As valuable partners in your child's wellbeing, learning and engagement at William Ruthven Primary School, we welcome and encourage your feedback. If you have any suggestions, comments or questions in relation to our policies and practices, please contact the Principal, Donald Eddington via email, donald.eddington@education.vic.gov.au.

 

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to encourage behaviours at William Ruthven Primary School 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 (generally mid-August – end of April)
  • 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.

 

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 via the SunSmart widget on the school’s website, the free SunSmart app, or at sunsmart.com.au or bom.gov.au.

 

William Ruthven Primary School has the following measures in place to help reduce the risk of excessive UV sun exposure for staff and students.

 

Shade

William Ruthven Primary School will provide sufficient options for shelter and trees to provide shade on school grounds, particularly in places such as:

  • where students congregate for lunch
  • outdoor lesson areas
  • popular play areas

When building works or grounds maintenance is conducted at William Ruthven Primary School 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

William Ruthven Primary School’s school uniform and dress code includes sun-protective clothing, including:

  • loose, cool, closely woven fabric
  • shirts with a collar and/or high necklines
  • tops with elbow length or long sleeves
  • longer style shorts and skirts
  • rash vests or t-shirts for outdoor swimming activities.

From 15 August to 30 April, all students must wear a sun protective hat that shades the face, neck and ears for all outdoor activities. Hats may also be worn for all outdoor activities outside of the August to April time period, by parent or student choice.

 

Students are required to wear a school hat or another hat style that protects the face, neck and ears when outdoors, for example broad-brimmed, legionnaire or bucket. Students who are not wearing appropriate protective clothing or a hat may be asked to play in the shade or in a suitable area protected from the sun.

 

Sunscreen

William Ruthven Primary School 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.

 

William Ruthven Primary School has strategies in place to remind students to apply sunscreen before going outdoors (for example, reminder notices, sunscreen monitors, sunscreen buddies).

 

Staff and families should role model SunSmart behaviour and are encouraged to apply SPF 30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen when outside.

 

Sunglasses

Where practical William Ruthven Primary School encourages students and staff engaged in outdoor activities to wear close-fitting, wrap-around sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard 1067 (Sunglasses: Category 2, 3 or 4) and cover as much of the eye area as possible.

 

Curriculum

Students at our school are encouraged to make healthy choices and are supported to understand the benefits and risks of sun exposure. William Ruthven Primary School will address sun and UV safety education as part of health and physical education lessons.

 

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.

 

Engaging students, staff and families

SunSmart behaviour is regularly reinforced and promoted to the whole school community through newsletters, school website, 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 our staff handbook
  • Reminders in our school newsletter
  • Hard copy available from school administration upon request.

Further information and resources

Policy review and approval

  • Policy created: February 2024
  • Consultation: School Council (19 February 2024)
  • Endorsed: School Council (19 February 2024)
  • Next scheduled review date: February 2028

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