Phase-1 Plan

Gaining buy-in from school executives to drive the SunSmart hat wearing agenda is the first step to making it happen.

Having leadership support will help ensure the project is well resourced and given a high priority, providing a greater chance of success.

Educate and motivate school leaders to help them understand the importance of SunSmart hat-wearing.

Supporting resources:

SunSmart behaviours at school (PDF)

PowerPoint presentation with notes (DOCX) targeted at teachers. Contact SunSmart to request the PowerPoint version with notes included.

Enlist two or more fellow champions to drive SunSmart engagement. This might be classroom teachers, office staff, Student Representative Council (SRC), Governing council or other school community reps with an interest in sun safety, health and wellbeing.

Having team members from multiple roles across the school can help share key responsibilities and support whole school engagement.

Supporting resources:

SunSmart Hat-Wearing Champion’s Guide (PDF)
Action Plan Template (DOCX)

Key areas that successful schools often address include: Motivation, Access and Triggers (M.A.T). With your SunSmart team, use the M.A.T model infographic to help identify your school’s strengths, areas for improvement and any challenges or barriers to SunSmart hat-wearing.

For strengths, consider what your school has achieved, how it was done and who was involved, and incorporate these lessons into your plan.

To assess current hat-wearing behaviours in the playground, consider using the SunSmart Hat-Wearing Playground Observation tool. This can be completed with support from the SRC.

Use the statements below to help determine what changes may need to occur to achieve 100 per cent SunSmart hat wearing:

• Students aren’t allowed to wear baseball caps.
• The school uniform shop only sells SunSmart hats.
• Rules around SunSmart hat wearing are clearly communicated and consistently applied.
• There are systems in place to help ensure all students have access to a SunSmart hat.
• Staff students consistently role model good sun protection practices.
• The school regularly communicates SunSmart messages to the school community.
• Sun safety is considered in planning for all activities, including sport and excursion.

Supporting resources:

MAT model infographic (JPG)
Overcoming barriers to SunSmart hat wearing (PDF)
Hat-wearing observation tool (DOCX) 

Use the SunSmart Action Plan Template to confirm what resources you will implement. Resources are categorised into areas of the M.A.T model to help you select resources based on your needs.

In your planning, consider:

• Who will be responsible for implementing the resource/s;
• The different audiences you will engage (e.g. students, parents/carers, teachers); and
• When you will use the resources

Every school has different challenges. You may prioritise a big impact change like not allowing baseball caps or changes that are feasible for now like communicating the importance of sun protection.

Supporting resources:

Action Plan Template (DOCX) 

Now it is time to communicate your plan to the whole school community, letting staff know how they can help you succeed; for example, by utilising the resources in the classroom and role modelling SunSmart behaviours.

Parents and carers play an important role. Consider using a SunSmart communication in your next school newsletter and sharing your plan at the next information evening.

Staff development days are a great opportunity to present your plan. Use the SunSmart behaviours at school PowerPoint to support your pitch!

Supporting resources:

SunSmart communications (DOCX)
SunSmart behaviours at school (PDF)
PowerPoint presentation with notes (DOCX) targeted at teachers. Contact SunSmart to request the PowerPoint version with notes included.