Sun Smart schools

With summer just around the corner, it's important we all take special care to protect our skin from the harmful rays of the sun. According to the Australian Cancer Council, Australians have the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Each year over 1300 Australians die from this almost totally preventable disease. Luckily, actions to reduce they risk of developing skin cancer are simple and effective.

The Cancer Council launched the national Sun Smart schools program in 1998. Many hundreds of schools around Australia, including many in the Parramatta Diocese, are now accredited Sun Smart schools, with comprehensive sun protection policies to protect their students.

In order to become accredited, schools must provide evidence they have a written sun protection policy which meets minimum standards relating to curriculum, behaviour and the environment. In addition to a sun protection policy, the school must be working to increase shade and reschedule outdoor activities to lower UV times of the day. Students must wear wide-brimmed or legionnaire hats and students at all levels must be taught about sun protection.

All Sun Smart schools receive a large sign for display, showing their local community they have made a firm commitment to children's health and safety.

The development of a national program targeting sun protection within Australian primary schools is anticipated to have a major impact on the future incidence of skin cancer, primarily through strategies aimed at reducing children's sun exposure.

Research indicates childhood sun exposure is an important contributing factor to thedevelopment of skin cancer in later life. As children are at school during the peak UV radiation times for five days each week, schools have the potential to play a major role in limiting children's exposure.

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