Glenala SHS - School Sun Smart Policy

Rationale

Being Sun Smart is an important life-long habit that looks after the health of all Australians. Skin Cancer is a real hazard for all people who are out and about in our sun. Knowing how to reduce the risks involved with exposure to the sun is a critical life lesson.

As a health promoting school, Glenala State High School acknowledges its responsibility to provide a healthy learning and working environment for its students, staff and other school visitors. The school also wishes to support the health benefits of a Sun Smart environment by ensuring students have access to relevant and comprehensive education about the risks involved with Sun Exposure.

Objectives of the Policy

To protect school community members from illness and conditions related to Sun Exposure. To demonstrate the school’s commitment to promoting the health of its students, staff and the community it serves to educate students, staff and the wider community about the serious health risks of Sun Exposure and the substantial benefits of being Sun Smart

The Policy Glenala State High School will be a Sun Smart school as from (date).

The rules policy and procedures which support our Sun Smart policy are listed below:

Curriculum, teaching and learning All students will have access to relevant, comprehensive and effective health education about Sun Exposure as foundation learning in the Health and Physical Education KLA.  Teachers will be provided with opportunities for professional development that will enhance their capacity to provide effective health education. The school will aim to ensure that adequate resources are available within the school to support the teaching of Sun Smart education programs. The school will ensure that any outdoor education program and/or activity offered are supported by hat, sunscreen and hydration procedures.

School organisation, ethos and environment Students may not go without a hat while on the school premises, while wearing the school uniform or while engaged in school-related activity outside the school grounds. Staff, including teaching, support and other non-teaching staff, must model Sun Smart behaviours while on the school premises and/or while engaged in school-related activity outside the school grounds. Students and staff who envisage any difficulty complying with policy should discuss the matter with the Principal (or delegate). They will be given support in adapting to the sun smart policy and procedures.

Partnership and services Visitors to the school, including parents and suppliers will be offered Sun Smart resources upon request. The school will seek provision of corporate sponsorship from private providers to provide hats for all students in the first instance. The school will seek accreditation with The Queensland Cancer Council to secure “Sun Smart School Status”

Implementation of the Policy

Members of staff will be given a copy of the policy. Parents will be informed via the school newsletter. Members of staff will inform visitors, new students, and new staff as appropriate. Signs and notices will be posted around the school. The Sun Smart policy will be enforced.

Monitoring and review

The policy will be monitored annually by the Principal, Parents and Citizen’s Association and the health promoting schools working group. This will involve consultation with other members of the school community where necessary.
It will be reviewed, and if necessary revised, every two years.

Signed (Principal)
Date 21st September 2007