Living in New Zealand, we can enjoy the sunshine and reduce our risk of harm by being sun smart.

While it is important to be sun smart at every age, sun-smart behaviour is particularly important for children as getting sunburnt in childhood and adolescence increases the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers later in life.

Our sun protection policy applies during terms 1 and 4 (after Labour Weekend). Whangaparaoa Primary School aims to:

· protect our students and staff from excessive exposure to the sun's UVR while they are at school, or involved with off-site school activities

· educate the whole school community about the harmful effects of excessive exposure to the sun's UVR, and how to keep themselves safe.

The school models sun-safe practices between 10 am and 4 pm, and ensures that staff and students take the following steps to protect themselves.

Sunsafe behaviour

· We require students to wear the school uniform hats that provide significant protection to the face, neck, and ears, whenever they are outside and involved in school activities. Students at school without a hat must remain in an allocated shaded area or inside at break times. These hats provide significant protection to the eyes.

· Students are allowed to wear sunglasses, which we recommend meet the AS/NZS 1067 Standard to provide good UVR protection.

· We encourage students to protect themselves with broad spectrum sunscreen (which the school provides)of at least SPF30 (Sun Protection Factor), and by sitting/playing in the shade where possible.

· We encourage students to wear swimwear that covers them as much as possible when swimming outdoors, e.g. long-sleeve rash tops.

· We encourage students to wear clothing that protects the skin (e.g. long sleeve tops) when at risk of extended sun exposure, such as sports days and picnics etc.