Preparatory School Handbook 2019 | Page 34

Our Day GGS Sun Protection Policy This policy has been adopted to ensure that all staff and students are protected from skin damage caused by exposure to the sun. It applies everyday throughout the school year both on and off the school campus. Throughout the year, students and staff will be encouraged to protect themselves from harmful UV sun rays in the following ways: 1. Responsible and Proactive Behaviour • Students are required to wear the correct GGS wide brimmed hat whenever they are outdoors. The Uniform shop provides students and staff with the opportunity to purchase hats with a 50+UV index rating. • A ‘No Hat- No Play’ statement is widely published, articulated and enforced by staff. • Students without hats are directed to a designated shaded area. • Students are educated to wear sunscreen prior to arriving at school in the morning, and to reapply at recess and lunchtime. • Students are encouraged to take responsibility for applying their own sunscreen which they keep in their school bags. • Sunscreen is provided for all classrooms and for all outdoor events. Regular reminders are issued by staff to students. Staff are unable to apply sunscreen for any child. • Students can wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from harmful UV radiation while participating in outdoor activities (when safe and practical to do so). Fashion sunglasses with no UV rating are not acceptable. Sunglasses may be worn to and from the school or when outside in the school grounds. No Hat, No Play The Preparatory School requires all children to wear a wide brimmed hat while outdoors. Application of sunscreen during the hot months is recommended. Sunscreen is available in all classes, and at all club and sporting activities. 2. Curriculum and Student Education • Sun protection and skin cancer prevention programs are incorporated into the curriculum at each year level throughout the health strand, ‘Personal, Social and Community Health’. • Teacher reference materials and resources are provided to support sun protection strategies. 3. Environment • Whenever possible, Priestley Hall or shade is used to counter peak UV index times when Physical Education lessons occur. • Shade is erected for both parents and students at all outdoor carnivals and events where required. 4. Evaluation We review the effectiveness of this policy each year in terms of: • Student/staff adherence to SunSmart behaviour • Regular assessment of shade • Reflection, evaluation and updating of curriculum materials and activities relevant to SunSmart education. 34 Lost Property It is imperative that you label all items of clothing your child brings to school, including bags and shoes. Identification makes it much easier to track lost articles of clothing. Preparatory School lost property is placed in a large locked container in the foyer of Priestley Hall. It is cleared weekly by the Preparatory School Monitors. Named items are returned to their owners and points are deducted from their Quarter. Unnamed items remain until the end of term when they are placed on display to be claimed.