Page Contents

• Purpose, Scope

• Shade

• Sun protective clothing

• Sunscreen

• Sunglasses

• Curriculum

• Communication of this policy

• Further information and resources

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to encourage behaviours at Templestowe College that reflect a healthy UV exposure balance, whilst minimising the risk of skin and eye damage and skin cancer.

This policy provides guidelines to:

• support staff and students to use a combination of sun protection measures when UV index levels are 3 or above (generally mid-August – end of April)

• ensure that there are outdoor environments that provide adequate shade for students and staff

• ensure students are encouraged and supported to develop independent sun protection skills to help them to be responsible for their own protection

• support our school’s strategies to meet its duty of care and occupational health and safety obligations to minimise harmful UV exposure and associated harm for students and staff.

Scope

This policy applies to all school activities, including camps and excursions. It is applicable to all students and staff.

Policy

A balance of sun exposure is important for health. Excessive exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause health problems including sunburn, dehydration, damage to skin and eyes, and an increased risk of skin cancer.  

Too little UV exposure from the sun can lead to low Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is essential for healthy muscles and bones, and overall health.

UV radiation:

• cannot be seen or felt

• can be reflected off surfaces such as buildings, asphalt, concrete, water, sand and snow

• can pass through light clouds

• varies in intensity across the year (highest in Victoria from mid-August – end of April)

• peaks during school hours

Sun safety is a shared responsibility and staff, parents and students. Students and staff are encouraged to implement a combination of sun protection measures whenever UV levels reach 3 and above (typically from mid-August to the end of April in Victoria).  

Implementation

Templestowe College has the following measures in place to help reduce the risk of excessive UV sun exposure for staff and students.

Templestowe College will provide sufficient options for shelter and trees to provide shade on school grounds, particularly in places where students congregate at lunch and recess. Students will be permitted to access appropriate classrooms and corridors during recess and lunchtime. Students should also have access to shaded areas nearby outside sport areas.

When building works or grounds maintenance is conducted at Templestowe College that may impact on the level of shading available to staff and students, a review of the shaded areas available will be conducted and further shading installed as appropriate.

It is recommended that from mid-August to end of April, and whenever UV levels reach 3 and above, students and staff come to school wearing sun-protective clothing such as:

• loose, cool, closely-woven fabric

• shirts with a collar and/or high necklines

• tops with elbow length or long sleeves

• longer style shorts and skirts

• rash vests or t-shirts for outdoor swimming activities.

Staff and students are encouraged to wear hat styles that protect the face, neck and ears when outdoors. 

Templestowe College encourages all staff and students to apply SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen daily whenever UV levels reach 3 and above. Sunscreen should be applied at least 20 minutes before going outdoors, and reapplied every two hours according to manufacturer’s instructions.  This recommendation is part of the school dress code.

Students and staff are encouraged to provide their own sunscreen, but it is also available at the Hub, Swing, excursion kits and from  the PE Faculty office.

Staff and families should role model SunSmart behaviour and are encouraged to apply SPF 30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen when outside.

Where reasonably practical, Templestowe College encourages students and staff engaged in outdoor activities to wear close-fitting, wrap-around sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard 1067 (Sunglasses: Category 2, 3 or 4) and cover as much of the eye area as possible.

Students at our school are encouraged to make healthy choices, and are supported to understand the benefits and risks of sun exposure. Templestowe College will address sun and UV safety education as part of HPE lessons  at Entry level and as part of all sports classes and as information given to all sports teams.

Staff are encouraged to access resources, tools, and professional learning to enhance their knowledge and capacity to promote sun smart behaviour across the school community.

This policy will be communicated to our school community in the following way:

• Available publicly on our school’s website

• Included in staff induction processes

• Reminder posted in Next Week @TC annual

• Discussed at staff briefings/meetings as required

• Hard copy available from school administration upon request

The Department’s Policy and Advisory Library (PAL):

• Sun and UV Protection Policy

• Duty of Care Policy

And the SunSmart website.