POLICY
Queensland has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Of all new cancers diagnosed in Australia each year, 80% are skin cancers. Research suggests that at least two-thirds of all 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 aging. Most skin damage and skin cancer is therefore preventable.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) levels are highest during the hours that children are at school. As children will spend a portion of their day outdoors, we are concerned to protect them from the harmful effects of the sun.

With this in mind Central Queensland Christian College realises the need to protect children’s skin and educate them about SunSmart behaviour, thus reducing the risk of skin damage from exposure to the sun throughout the year.

AIMS

• Provide ongoing education that promotes personal responsibility for skin cancer prevention and early detection.
• Provide environments that support SunSmart practices.
• Create an awareness of the need to schedule work commitments and outdoor activities to support SunSmart practices.

PURPOSE
To ensure that all students attending the College are protected from the harmful effects of the sun throughout the year.

COMMITMENT
Central Queensland Christian College will:

• Inform parents of the SunSmart Policy when they enrol their child.
• Increase the amount of shade in the school grounds, where possible, by building shelters and planting trees.
• Incorporate education programs that focus on skin cancer prevention into the College curriculum.
• Encourage all teachers, parents and staff to act as positive role models for students in all aspects of SunSmart behaviour.
• Seek ongoing support from parents and the College community for the SunSmart policy and its implementation through newsletters, parent meetings, etc.
• Ensure that all students and staff wear hats that protect the face, neck and ears and use a SPF30+ broad spectrum sunscreen when involved in outdoor activities.
• Encourage students without adequate sun protection to use shaded or covered areas at lunch and break times.
• Ensure that, wherever practicable, outdoor activities take place before 10am and after 3pm.
• Ensure that SPF30+ broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen is included in the school sports kit
• Include SPF30+ sunscreen on the school book list.
• Review this policy annually or as required.

EXPECTATIONS
We expect that Parents/carers will:

• Provide a Sunsmart hat for their child in line with the College uniform policy
• Act as a positive role model for their child by practising SunSmart behaviour in support of the College policy

We expect that students will:

• Be aware of the College SunSmart policy
• Take responsibility for their own health and safety by being SunSmart
• Wear suitable hats, clothing and sunscreen when participating in outdoor activities
• Apply an SPF30+ broad spectrum sunscreen 20 minutes before play or going outdoors
• Use shaded or covered areas when possible when outdoors
• Act as possible role models for other students in all aspects of SunSmart behaviour
• Participate in SunSmart education programs.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

• Uniform Policy

REVIEW

• This policy is to be reviewed every 12 months or as required.
• This is Draft Issue #3
  - Changed for readability and the internet
  - Review every 12 months "or as required"

• Issue #2 March 2009 attached below
• Issue #1 April 2006
  

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  15_SunSmart Policy.doc	52.5 KB