By Bonny Burrows
New shades sails will protect Garfield Primary school children from the sun’s harmful rays.
The State Government on 8 November announced the school will receive $14,850 for a new shade sail, to be placed above its new sandpit.
Garfield Primary School student wellbeing co-ordinator Tracy Larsen said the sails would be a welcome addition to the sun smart school.
“The sails will offer protection during recess and lunch, the time when the sun’s rays are the hottest,” Ms Larsen said.
“It will make an open area sun smart and help finish off our new sandpit space,” she said.
The funding was part of the government’s $1.4 million School Shades Grant Program, aimed at preventing exposure to UV radiation in a bid to slash skin cancer rates.
Member for Eastern Victoria Region Daniel Mulino said the simplest of acts could prevent UV exposure.
“More shaded areas at Garfield Primary School are a simple way to protect our kids from the harmful effects of UV radiation and prevent skin cancer,” Mr Mulino said.
