Heywood Secondary College hits skin cancer for six
9 May 2008
Although the cricket season is over, students from Heywood Secondary College will be treated to special cricket clinic with Victorian cricketer Aaron Finch this Friday, in recognition of their commitment to making sun protection a priority at the school.
Heywood Secondary College received the clinic as a prize for being one of the first schools to register for Cancer Council's new Sun Protection Program developed specially for secondary schools. The program was launched in October last year in a bid to help schools protect students and staff from the harmful effects of UV radiation in sunlight.
And in keeping with SunSmart's ‘hats off' message for the cooler months, the students have been given the OK to leave their hats off for the clinic.
"From May to the end of August, sun protection is not generally required in Victoria as the UV is not high enough to cause skin damage, so we advise schools not to implement their sun protection policies during this time," says SunSmart Manager Sue Heward.
"However, we hope other schools around the state follow the great example set by Heywood and join the new Secondary Schools Sun protection program, because the need for sun protection does not stop at the end of primary school," she said.
"The evidence shows that sun exposure during childhood and adolescence contributes to skin cancer risk in later life, so sun protection is just as important at secondary school as primary school."
The clinic will be conducted by Victorian cricketer Aaron Finch, who says he is thrilled to be visiting the schools to support the program.
"As someone who spends a lot of time in the sun, I know how important it is to protect my skin," he said.
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