Mt Lawley Primary School accredited as Sunsmart school [Audio]

16/11/98

Mt Lawley Primary School today became the first school in Western Australia to be accredited as a SunSmart school.

Launching the national program in WA, Health Minister John Day said SunSmart promoted education and policy initiatives by a school community that ensured students were not overly exposed to ultra-violet radiation during school hours.

"Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world, with two out of three Australians developing some form of skin cancer during their lifetime," Mr Day said.

"Over-exposure to ultra-violet radiation, when children are at school age, has been shown to be a major contributor to developing skin cancer in later life.

"SunSmart encourages students and teachers to wear a hat, use sunscreen and seek out shade wherever possible."

Mr Day said that in WA there were an estimated 27,000 cases of non-melanocytic skin cancer each year, with 664 Western Australians diagnosed with melanoma in 1997. Last year, 70 Western Australians died from melanoma - 28 women, 42 men.

The Mt Lawley Primary School had made it compulsory for students to wear wide-brimmed hats or legionnaire-style caps when outdoors.

"For the children this, in effect, means 'no hat, no play' - a philosophy the students have happily adopted," Mr Day said.

"This is important during normal everyday school activities, as well as special events such as sports carnivals, when children may be exposed to the sun more than usual.

"As good role models, staff are also encouraged to always wear a hat when outside.

"The school also takes into consideration the use of shade and the timing of outdoor activities to minimise exposure to ultra-violet radiation."

Mr Day encouraged all schools in WA to gain SunSmart accreditation.

The Cancer Foundation of WA and the Australian Cancer Society are promoting the implementation of this policy at Mt Lawley Primary School and at other schools throughout the State.

Media contact: Mark Thompson 9482 4648