Crackdown on hats at Woy Woy

Woy Woy Public School has had a crackdown on the wearing of hats as part of the school uniform.

Principal Ms Ona Buckley has stated that hats at school were a health and safety measure.

"It is important that all our students have hats at school each day.

"We have a sun-safe policy in association with the Cancer Council NSW.

"Our school uniform hat was chosen due to its compliance with sun protection guidelines.

"It has a soft full brim that covers the whole head correctly," Ms Buckley said.

"Wide brim harder hats can hurt other children when they bump into them or swing them around.

"We understand that hats can often get misplaced and even when names are clearly marked on them can end up disappearing.

"We all try to teach our children responsibility for looking after their own belongings.

"Many of our teachers have the students keep their hats in their work trays during in class hours so that the hats are safe and are easily available at break time to wear outside.

"All students are requested to wear our uniform school hat.

"A sensible idea is that all students are wearing a sun-safe hat and it stops hat fashion fever competition amongst students which may well lead to parents paying more expensive prices for hats," she continued.

"Wearing a school hat doesn't make a child stick out as being different to everyone else which could result in that child being teased by others.

"Our school hat is very reasonably priced at $13.

"We do offer school hats for sale at the Canteen and have some on loan through the school office if students forget to bring them.

"We need to monitor this as they need to be hygienically treated after each wear.

"Remember it is always important to apply sun screen before your child comes to school as well," Ms Buckley said.

SOURCE:

Newsletter, 8 Feb 2018

Ona Buckley, Woy Woy Public School