Sun Protection
St Joseph's School promotes sun protection practices to reduce the risk of sun-related harm to students and staff as part of our commitment to providing a safe place to learn and work. We take measures to protect our students and staff from overexposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) while they are at school or involved with off-site school activities, including sports and Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC).
We inform and remind our school community (students, staff, parents/caregivers, coaches, volunteers, etc) about our sun protection practices (below) and expectations.
We educate our students about sun safety by communicating age-appropriate information about sun (UVR) exposure and protection. We provide this information annually in class programmes for every year level.
St Joseph's School is a SunSmart accredited school.
Board responsibilities
As part of our responsibility to provide a safe school and workplace, the board:
- ensures ongoing assessment of sun protection practices (e.g. shade provision and sun safety education)
- maintains current shade structures (natural and built), and prioritises shade provision in property planning, as appropriate
- considers sun protection when reviewing the school uniform/student dress expectations
- reviews the sun protection policy at least every three years.
Every term, the principal assures the board that identified hazards are being monitored and/or controlled, and that measures are being re-evaluated to check their adequacy. This includes our sun protection practices as appropriate. See Review Schedule and Board Assurances.
Timing of sun protection practices
Our core sun protection practices (below) apply during school hours and/or activities in terms 1 and 4. During terms 2 and 3 when UVI is generally lower, students do not normally need to wear hats, apply sunscreen, or stay in the shade, unless they are outdoors for an extended period of time, or are near highly reflective surfaces such as snow. The 
UV index is a useful tool for understanding when sun protection is required.
Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) cannot be seen or felt, so temperature and weather conditions cannot be used to determine when sun protection is needed. UVR can be measured using the Ultraviolet Index (UVI).
The Cancer Society advises that sun protection is needed at a UVI level of 3 or higher. This commonly occurs in terms 1 and 4 between 10 am and 4 pm, even on cloudy or cool days. The UVI may also exceed 3 at other times.
Sun protection is particularly important for young people, as overexposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in childhood and adolescence can cause eye damage, and increase the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers later in life.
For UV (UV index) forecasts , see the SunSmart UVNZ app 
.
Sun protection practices
- We ensure that sun protection is considered for all outdoor school events and activities, on-site and off-site, including sports and EOTC. We try to plan outdoor activities to minimise exposure to the sun (UVR) during the summer (i.e. we consider timing and use of shade).
- Students and staff are encouraged to make use of shaded areas when outside. Students eat lunch in the shade or inside, as appropriate.
- We encourage students and staff to keep hydrated by drinking water.
- We require students to wear hats that shade the face, neck, and ears whenever they are outdoors during school hours and/or activities, e.g. interval and lunch breaks, P.E., sports days, outdoor EOTC trips, and other school activities. Students at school without a hat must remain in an allocated shaded area or (if allowed) inside at break times. Hats must be broad-brimmed (min. 7.5 cm), or legionnaire/bucket hats (min. 6 cm brim, deep crown).
- We encourage students and staff to protect themselves with broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of at least SPF30. The school provides sunscreen. Junior students receive help to apply sunscreen, and students with sensitive skin are asked to supply their own sunscreen.
- We encourage students to wear clothing that protects the skin (e.g. long sleeve tops, rash tops) when at risk of extended sun exposure (such as at sports days, school camps, and picnics), or when swimming outdoors.
- Staff are encouraged to model appropriate sun protection practices.
We aim to prevent sun-related harm. Any adverse events, such as sunburn or heat-stroke, may be recorded to help manage student and staff health and to collect information for risk management. See Recording and Reporting Accidents, Injuries, and Illness .
Related policies
Legislation
- Education and Training Act 2020
- Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
Resources
Hei mihi | Acknowledgement
The Cancer Society helped review the generic SchoolDocs Sun Protection policy in 2022 and SchoolDocs appreciates their valuable input.
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: Term 4 2022, Term 1 2020, Term 1 2017
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