AS the summer months approach, the region's students will be given more tools to remain sun smart.
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Thanks to the NSW Education Department's new Sun and UV at School program, schools will have access to a raft of new resources to help them teach the importance of sun safety.
St Edward's Primary School is embracing the learning tools and is preparing for summer with a range of new measures.
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"At infants school, we're about to get some shade clothes put in over some of the play equipment, sand pits and play areas," St Edward's Primary School sports co-ordinator Natasha Gippel said.
"We're also extending the shelter area to protect the kids while they're playing.
"The impacts of not being sun smart are really well known and it is really exciting to be putting these things in, because we know how important it is."
Mrs Gippel said the learning tools were "a fantastic resource" and would help inspire students to take sun safety seriously.
"We are pretty proactive here and like every school we have a no-hat, no-play policy," she said.
"These additional resources are great because there are videos, full units of work to complement what we are already doing in the classroom and quick grab-and-go lessons for teachers.
"There's also a competition for primary students to design a sun-safe play area and we're hoping to get all of the classes involved."
NSW Department of Education school performance deputy secretary, Murat Dizdar said the initiative was formed in association with the NSW Cancer Institute and SunSmart.
"We want NSW students to be active and conscious participants in making decisions that safeguard their health and for that reason, the NSW Department of Education is proud to support this initiative," Mr Dizdar said.
"Teachers can inspire the next generation of Aussie kids to protect their skin from the harmful effects of the sun."
Cancer Institute NSW chief executive officer professor David Currow, said it is important for children and young people to learn about the risks associated with sun exposure early so they can create good habits as they move through life.
"Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world and melanoma is the most common cancer affecting young Australians aged 15-24," professor Currow said.
"We want students to learn about the dangers of sun exposure, but we also want them to know how easy skin cancer is to prevent.
"It starts with practising sun-safe behaviours at school."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
