SunSmart school programs in Tasmania

SunSmart recommends that all early childhood education and care services and schools implement a SunSmart policy to ensure a healthy UV exposure balance. 

Sun exposure in childhood and adolescence greatly increases the chances of developing skin cancer later in life. 

The SunSmart early childhood program aims to minimise exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun during early childhood. 

Why become a SunSmart school?  

The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority’s National Quality Standard requires all childcare services to have a sun protection policy. Early childhood services have a duty of care to minimise children’s exposure to the sun and provide an environment that encourages sun protection behaviours. 

The SunSmart early childhood program assists childcare services to develop and maintain appropriate evidence-based sun protection policies and put them into action. Becoming a SunSmart service demonstrates a commitment to securing the future health and well-being of children and staff. 

Developing a SunSmart policy 

Each service is responsible for putting into action and regularly reviewing its own sun protection policy. The SunSmart early childhood program has a sample policy and you can choose to use this policy as your own or develop it to meet the context of your service.  You can use this sample to get you started:

Apply to become a SunSmart service or renew your membership 

Becoming a SunSmart Service is easy, to join simply fill in a Contact Details and Partnership Agreement form.

Child Care Centre / Family Day Care:

Download and complete Contact Details and Partnership Agreement Form to scan and email or post in. 

Develop a sun protection policy: 

Submit your Contact Details and Partnership Agreement Form for review to: 

sunsmart@cancertas.org.au 

OR 

SunSmart Officer 
Cancer Council Tasmania 
69 Howick Street 
Launceston TAS 7250 

To renew your SunSmart status: 

Cancer Council Tasmania requires SunSmart services to review their sun protection policy every three years to maintain their SunSmart membership. Renewal is free of charge. 

Update your service details with our Contact Details and Partnership Agreement Form and submit with your current sun protection policy via: 

Email: sunsmart@cancertas.org.au 

OR 

SunSmart Officer 
Cancer Council Tasmania 
69 Howick Street 
Launceston TAS 7250 

OR 

Phone our SunSmart officer to discuss on 03 6779 1100

Resources

The following provide links to popular resources for early childhood and schools: 

• Be SunSmart Play SunSmart Early Learning Resource. Includes suggested SunSmart play experiences and incorporates concepts from the Early Years Learning Framework and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework.
• SunSmart  and Sid the seagull posters and signs
• Sid the Seagull Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide video
• Creating effective shade. A tool to assist with assessing your shade needs and planning and developing new shade
• SunSmart Countdown.  We have a brochure available covering all aspects of UV information, protection etc.  Contact CCT’s SunSmart Officer if you’d like one sent to you. Call 1300 65 65 85. 
• Generation SunSmart website. Carers can learn about skin cancer, being SunSmart and sun protection strategies. 
• SunSmart App for iPhone, Android and Samsung. The SunSmart app lets you know when you do and don’t need sun protection, making it easier than ever to be smart about your sun exposure all year. 
• UV alert widget. Place on your website or intranet, the UV alert widget, updated daily, displays the times of the day that sun protection is needed and general weather information. 
• Sunscreen fundraiser. Raise funds for your service in a positive and SunSmart way by selling sunscreen. Contact info@skinhealth.com.au for details. 
• SunSmart early childhood brochure detailing the 5 key sun protection messages for early childhood. Suitable for maternal and child health, early childhood services, parents and carers. Contact sunsmart@cancertas.org.au to order. 

The SunSmart Schools program aims to minimise student and staff exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun at school and during school-associated activities. 

A SunSmart School is a school that has registered with Cancer Council Tasmania and has a comprehensive sun protection policy that is put into action during all outdoor school activities. This policy must meet the criteria developed by Cancer Council Tasmania. 

Why become a SunSmart school?  

Schools, in partnership with families and their communities, have an important role in reducing sun exposure because: 

• Schools have a duty of care to protect students and staff from harm. A sun protection policy can assist schools to meet this obligation. 
• The crucial period for sustaining damage from sun exposure occurs during the school years. 
• Children are at school during peak UV radiation times five days a week. 
• Schools can influence sun protection behaviours through education. 
• Sun protection policies can be included in existing health policies. 

The SunSmart program is FREE to join, provides you with ongoing updated sun protection information, support and resources. It demonstrates a commitment to sun protection for staff and students to the school community and the broader community. 

Developing a SunSmart schools policy 

Each school is responsible for putting into action and regularly reviewing its own sun protection policy. The SunSmart Schools Program has a sample policy and you can choose to use this policy as your own or develop it to meet the context of your school. You can use this sample to get you started. 

Apply to become a SunSmart School or renew your membership  

Becoming a SunSmart School is easy, to join simply 

Fill in a Contact Details and Partnership Agreement form: 

Fill in and download our Contact Details and Partnership Agreement Form to scan and email, or post in. 

Submit your Contact Details and Partnership Agreement form and policy for review to: 

Email: sunsmart@cancertas.org.au 

OR 

SunSmart Officer 
Cancer Council Tasmania 
69 Howick Street Launceston 7250 

OR 

Phone our SunSmart Officer to discuss on 03 6779 1100

Resources 

• Kidskin. The Kidskin resources offer primary teachers ready-made curriculum activities and programs to enhance sun protection learning experiences. Kidskin resource activities are student-centred, interactive, cross-curricular and most importantly FUN! Free to SunSmart Schools, email sunsmart@cancertas.org.au to get yours today.
• Generation SunSmart website. Learn about skin cancer, being SunSmart and sun protection strategies for educators and students.
• SunSmart millionaire game. SunSmart millionaire is an innovative resource in game format for grade 5- 7 students promoting the science behind the SunSmart message, and meeting curriculum needs.
• Be SunSmart today sign. A sign that you can fill in daily to record peak UV levels and UV alert times (times when sun protection should be used).
• SunSmart and Sid the Seagull posters
• Sid Seagull Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide video
• Shade for schools info sheet
• Creating effective shade. A tool to assist with assessing your shade needs and planning and developing new shade
• SunSmart App for iPhone, Android and Samsung. The SunSmart app lets you know when you do and don’t need sun protection, making it easier than ever to be smart about your sun exposure all year
• UV alert widget. Place on your website or intranet, the UV alert widget, updated daily, displays the times of the day that sun protection is needed and general weather information.
• Sunscreen fundraiser. Raise funds for your school in a positive and SunSmart way by selling sunscreen. Contact info@skinhealth.com.au for details. 

Sun exposure in adolescence greatly increases the chances of developing skin cancer later in life. 

The Secondary School UV Program aims to minimise student and staff exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun at school and during school-associated activities. 

A UV member has a UV policy that is put into action during all outdoor school activities. This policy must meet the criteria developed by Cancer Council Tasmania. 

Why become a member of the program? 

Schools, in partnership with families and their communities, have an important role in reducing sun exposure because: 

• Schools have a duty of care to protect students and staff from harm. A sun protection policy can assist schools to meet this obligation. 
• The crucial period for sustaining damage from sun exposure occurs during the school years. 
• Children and adolescents are at school during peak UV radiation times five days a week. 
• Schools can influence sun protection behaviours through education. 
• Sun protection policies can be included in existing health policies. 

The UV program is FREE to join, provides you with ongoing updated sun protection information, support and resources. It demonstrates a commitment to sun protection for staff and students to the school community and the broader community. 

Developing a UV secondary schools policy  

1. Create a UV policy by implementing at least one criteria from each category within the template. It is anticipated that schools will work towards achieving all of these criteria over time. 
2. Once the relevant criteria have been selected, email your policy for review and completed Contact Details and Agreement form to sunsmart@cancertas.org.au. 
3. The final tailored policy will be returned to your school for confirmation. 
4. Once the above steps have been completed, your school will be awarded membership to the Secondary School UV Program. Membership is free and lasts for 3 years. 

Renew your membership  

Cancer Council Tasmania requires members of the program to review their policy every three years to maintain their Secondary School UV Program membership. Renewal is free of charge. 

Fill in our Contact Details and Partnership Agreement Form and submit with your current sun protection policy via: 

Email: sunsmart@cancertas.org.au 

OR 

SunSmart Officer 
Cancer Council Tasmania 
69 Howick Street Launceston 7250 

OR 

Phone our SunSmart Officer to discuss on 03 6779 1100 

Resources  

The SunSmart website has a variety of curriculum resources for secondary school students on sun protection, vitamin D and skin cancer. These include: 

• Activity sheets 
• SRC kit: SunSmart invites Student Representative Councils (SRC) from secondary schools to join in the fight against skin cancer by devising strategies to help their school community achieve a healthy UV balance. This resource will guide your SRC through the steps to consider in the process. 
• Signs 
• Posters 
• SunSmart widget 
• SunSmart app 

Generation Sunsmart: Students and teachers can learn about skin cancer, being SunSmart, and how to incorporate sun protection strategies into your day to day activities by completing the modules. 

The Sun Sound is available for UV members. It is a 5 second jingle to remind students to use the 5 sun protection measures. It is ideal for school carnivals. This can be accessed by contacting SunSmart Officer on 6779 1103 or emailing sunsmart@cancertas.org.au 

Real Stories 

The Real Stories education resource for Year 7-10 secondary school students includes a series of videos and lessons examining the issues related to young people and skin cancer. The activities throughout the resource can be used individually or as part of a comprehensive unit. Teachers should note that reference is made to skin cancer throughout the resource and can therefore be upsetting for students. The resource addresses the consequences of cancer and shows footage of surgical procedures. It is recommended that teachers review the material beforehand to ensure it is suitable for students.