This information provides guidance to principals regarding the development and implementation of the school sun safety strategy to protect students from the dangers of over-exposure to the sun.
The development and implementation of this strategy involves a consultative process with the school community, including school staff, students, parents and parents and citizens' association.
Consult with the school community on the development of a sun safety strategy that:
- provides effective educational programs on sun safety and preventive measures
- maximises the use of available shade for outdoor activities
- provides flexible planning of activities to reduce, as far as practicable, time spent by students in the sun between 10.00am and 2.00pm
- considers sun protection when determining or reviewing school uniform designs
- requires wearing of protective clothing, including appropriate hats, when in the sun during the school day, except where the wearing of hats may pose a risk to students' safety due to reduced visibility or interfering with activity skills (e.g. playing soccer)
- requires primary school students to wear swim shirts during all water-based activities, with the exception of competitions and carnivals
- encourages the wearing of swim shirts during all water-based activities in secondary schools
- requires all state schools to provide an SPF 30+ broad spectrum water based 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
- considers sun protection in relation to parents and citizens' association projects and activities
- promotes the importance of parents, teachers, ancillary staff and voluntary helpers as role models for students in relation to sun protection strategies
- involves consultation with the school community to examine the feasibility of recovering costs incurred in supplying sunscreen in line with
state education fees.
New procedure
A new Sun safety in state schools procedure is now available—for implementation by schools in 2022.
Schools are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the procedure, guidelines and policy template, and update their existing sun safety policy to align with the requirements.
Online resources
Sun safety education resources are available on Staff Learning Place website (search 'sun safety').