Safety in the Sun Procedures

GUIDELINES:
These guidelines apply during the 1st and 4th terms and as deemed appropriate:

1. Promote awareness of the health hazards arising from unprotected and/or excessive exposure
   to the harmful UV radiation of the sun, which can lead to serious skin cancer, melanoma, in
   later life.

2. Positively encourage the use of safe practices in the sun.

3. The BOT will work towards providing a school environment which provides shade for students and staff.

4. Appropriate times will be determined by the teaching staff. The weather on the day and the time of day will be taken into account. The wearing of hats will be monitored at morning tea times and during lunch hours.

5. A regulation West Eyreton sun hat will be worn for outdoor activities by children.
   Definition of a regulation hat: Navy wide brimmed drill hat purchased through the school. The hat will reside at school. (but may be sent home for washing. Parents are responsible to see that it is returned immediately so they are available for use.)

6. Staff are expected to set an example by wearing a wide brimmed hat for outdoor activities.

7. All children are encouraged to eat their lunch in the shade.

8. Outdoor activities that occur between 11 am and 4 pm will, where possible, be performed in a shady area.

9. Students without their sun hat will be required to remain under a designated tree in the shaded area at the front of the school.

10. West Eyreton School encourages the wearing of shirts with collars and long sleeves, and long shorts or skirts. Sunglasses that provide good protection for the eyes will be allowed to be worn outdoors.

11. Parents will be encouraged to send a long sleeved shirt for junior school children to wear when out in the sun rather than have children applying sunscreen.

12. Parents will be encouraged to send their children to school in clothing that does not expose the skin.
    Consideration should also be given to the wearing of Rash tops and sun suits during swimming
    sessions.

13. Senior students may bring sunscreen to use if engaged in outdoor activities which necessitates their being in the sun during high exposure times (11 am to 4 pm). It is the parents’ responsibility to check that their children are not allergic to the sunscreen product.

14. No child will be permitted to share or to use another child’s sunscreen product. Misuse of sunscreen will not be tolerated. Sunscreen containers must be clearly named.

15. Parents who send sunscreen are therefore giving permission for their child to apply the sunscreen product. It is not the teacher’s responsibility to apply sunscreen.

16. When enrolling their children, parents will be given a copy of the Safety in the Sun Procedures and one regulation sun hat. Replacement hats (the cost of which is subsidised) should be purchased from the school.

17. Sun-safety education will be included in the Health programme.

18. Parents will be informed of the school Sun-safety procedures at the start of each year.