Fins out more about being SunSmart.
Learn more about how to keep your family safe from UV radiation.
Enjoying the sunshine and being SunSmart.
Protection from the sun of both students and staff forms part of a school’s duty of care.
Sun Protection Policy
Sun exposure in childhood and adolescence greatly increases the chances of developing skin cancer later in life. Students are in school when daily ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels are at their peak, meaning that we are uniquely placed to provide education about sun protection behaviour, minimise UV exposure, and ultimately reduce our students’ lifetime risk of skin cancer.
As such, we have a policy as well as guidelines – such as ‘no hat, no play’ – in place that aim to reduce over-exposure to UV radiation. Our Sun Protection Policy has been adopted to ensure that all students, staff as well as visitors of The Montessori School Kingsley are protected from skin damage caused by UV radiation from the sun.
Ultraviolet Radiation Index
Stay informed and protect yourself from harmful UV exposure.
This UV Radiation Index provides real-time sun protection times using forecast information from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and live UV data from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA).
Alarming Statistics
Australia is the skin cancer capital of the world: two in three Australians will develop skin cancer before the age of 70, and every year 2,000 people die from this disease.
Being SunSmart is a simple and effective way of reducing your risk of developing skin cancer. Most skin cancers can be treated if found early. It is important that you learn how to check your skin for the early signs of skin cancer.
SunSmart Schools
We have joined the SunSmart Schools program, which is a nationally recognised SunSmart Schools program, run by the Cancer Council, that supports schools in creating sun-safe environments and promoting sun protection behaviours to students, staff and families.
Here are a few tips to ensure you and your family are SunSmart:
1. Slip on covering clothing
Choose clothing that covers as much skin as possible, for example, collared shirts with long sleeves. Some clothing may carry an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF), which is a guarantee of how much UV protection a fabric provides.
2. Slop on SPF 50 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen
Apply a generous amount of sunscreen to clean, dry skin for at least 20 minutes before you go outside. The average-sized adult will need a teaspoon of sunscreen for their head and neck, each limb and the front and back of the body. That’s about seven teaspoons (35mL) for a full-body application. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or excessive sweating.
Remember, sunscreen is not a suit of armour and should be used with other sun protection measures.
3. Slap on a hat
Choose, a broad-brimmed, legionnaire or bucket style hat that shades your face, nose, neck and ears, which are common sites for skin cancers. Caps and visors do not provide enough protection.
4. Seek shade
Use trees, built shade structures, or bring your own (such as a sunshade tent)! Shade reduces UV radiation, but it can still reach you via reflection, so make sure you use shade in combination with other sun protection measures.
5. Slide on some sunglasses
Sunglasses and a broad-brimmed hat worn together can reduce UV radiation exposure to the eyes by up to 98%. Sunglasses should be worn outside during daylight hours. Choose close-fitting wraparound sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard AS/NSZ 1067.
School Hats
Looking good and keeping the UV radiation at bay.
While our school doesn’t have a uniform, when we participate in school-wide events that take place outside our school grounds, such as the Annual Montessori Schools Picnic, we like our students to be easily identifiable, as well as safe from excess UV exposure. As such, we have purchased broad-brimmed hats that bear our school colour and logo, which families can purchase from the School Office for $20.
