Sun smart school happy to find place in shade

Waikura Brown (left), Year 8, Flaxmere city councillor Henare O'Keefe, Flaxmere Primary School principal Haisley Robson and deputy principal Jocelyn Cowan plant the white birch tree to be used as shade in the playground. Photo / Warren Buckland

Flaxmere Primary School kids are sun smart and not just in theory.

The school has been awarded a certificate and shade tree for implementing a comprehensive sun protection policy.

Sunburn, particularly in childhood and adolescence, increases the risk of melanoma and limiting ultraviolet radiation exposure during school years could reduce the risk of skin cancer later in life.

A SunSmart Schools Programme provides accreditation for those who meet minimum criteria including basics such as the use of SPF 30+ sunscreen and protective clothing.

Community health adviser at Cancer Society Hawke's Bay Jocelyn Cowan said of 113 schools in the region, 41 reached the standard.

"Flaxmere is a low-decile school that gets support from us - it's a nice partnership," she said.

"We have got a grant structure: we used some of that to purchase some hats and sunscreen to support them which is a little bit different."