THE GLEN Innes public school have implemented a “no hat, no play in the sun” policy in their playground.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Parents and Citizens group in collaboration with the school’s administration have sought to make sure all students now have their own new smart school hat.
P and C President Caroline Chappell said students that do not bring a hat to school must play in the shade.
“Over the last few months, there has been discussions held about the welfare of the student’s skin when in the playground and Assistant Principal Jane Lawrence approached the P and C in August regarding the hat policy that was currently in place at the school,” she said.
“There was concern that Glen Innes being so high above sea level never drops below a UV Index rating of high, which means the risk of being sunburnt is very likely.”
Mrs Chappell said the P and C swiftly and unanimously agreed that the hat policy needed to be aligned with the new recommendations from the Department of Education regarding sun safety and have student’s wearing broad-brimmed sun hats year round.
“Miss Lawrence was greatly appreciative of this motion and expressed great enthusiasm at the willingness of the P and C to work with the staff,” she said.
“The P and C also agreed that if they were to enforce such a policy then they needed to show support to the families by providing them with a hat.
"The P and C worked quickly to find a company that could supply us with a hat that was affordable, smart looking and durable, having it embroidered with the school logo was a great bonus".
Miss Lawrence said the hat looks smart and the brim is wider than the recommended width of 5cm, ensuring that the children are covered fully on the face and neck.
“The children were very excited and wore their hats proudly at the school Walkathon, held recently,” she said.
School Principal Anthony Buckley said the school was lucky to have such a strong and committed P and C and thanked them for their ongoing hard work.