Outlines how Queensland schools develop and implement sun safety strategies to protect students from dangers of over-exposure to the sun.
Statement of intent
In view of the dangers of overexposure to the sun in Queensland, Education Queensland schools are to develop and implement a school sun protection strategy in which they consider the most practical and effective ways of further enhancing sun protection for students.
The consultative development of the school sun protection strategy may be undertaken as part of the Annual Operational Planning process and so would involve school staff, students, parents and citizens associations, and other interested members of the community.
Schools, depending on how they are organising their Annual Operational Plan document, may frame their sun protection objective and strategies in different ways:
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Schools may include the sun protection strategy in the front of the Annual Operational Plan
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Schools may include only the objective in the Annual Operational Plan, and draw up a policy and action plan as a supporting document
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Schools may have the elements of a sun protection program incorporated across a number of key result areas for example, in health and physical education, safety, or grounds development
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Schools may already have a comprehensive sun protection strategy in place, and will therefore not need to feature it in the Annual Operational Plan
To further support the school's strategy, principals and teachers have been requested to curtail the length and number of assemblies.
Education Queensland has also included a special sub-program in the Departmental Capital Works Program to enhance shade provisions in schools.
Responsibilities
All Principals: Consult with the school community on the development of a sun protection strategy which:
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provides effective educational programs on sun safety and preventive measures;
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maximises the use of available shade for outdoor activities;
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provides flexible planning of activities to reduce, as far as practicable, time spent by students in the sun between 10.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m.;
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includes shade tree planting and caring programs;
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considers sun protection when determining or reviewing school uniform designs;
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requires the wearing of protective clothing including hats when in the sun during the school day;
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requires the wearing of swim shirts during all water-based activities for students from Prep to Year 7, with the exception of competitions and carnivals;
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encourages the wearing of swim shirts during all water-based activities in all state schools;
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requires all state schools to provide an SPF 30+ broad spectrum water resistant sunscreen for students to use on uncovered areas of the skin, such as the face and the back of the hands for all outdoor activities;
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considers sun protection in relation to parents and citizens association projects and activities; and
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promotes the importance of parents, teachers, ancillary staff and voluntary helpers as role models for students in relation to sun protection strategies.
Consult with the school community to examine the feasibility of recovering costs incurred in supplying sunscreen in line with FNM-PR-019: State Education Fees.
Secondary Principals: Contacts
For information about developing a sun safety strategy, contact:
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