Praise Rufus-Ashredu, Jake Newman-Martin, Kaine Latta, William Ross and Alexander Cameron proudly sporting the Aquinas College hat for sun protection. d397942
Camera IconPraise Rufus-Ashredu, Jake Newman-Martin, Kaine Latta, William Ross and Alexander Cameron proudly sporting the Aquinas College hat for sun protection. d397942 Credit: Supplied/Matthew Poon

SunSmart seniors keep their hats on

Rosanna Candler, Southern GazetteSouthern Gazette

‘The boys did initially ask, ‘do we really have to’?’ deputy headmaster Frank Norton said.

‘However, after we went through the facts ” that one in two Australians develops skin cancer in their lives ” everyone was wearing their hats within two days and were wonderfully supportive. You can’t deny it; a one in two bullet is pretty difficult to dodge.’

Cancer Council WA SunSmart manager Kerry O’Hare said Aquinas had done a great job of making student health a priority.

‘All primary school students have to wear a hat, but then all of a sudden when they reach high school the hat rule tends to disappear,’ she said.

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As skin cancer is the most common cancer in Australians aged 15 to 44, Ms O’Hare said high school students not wearing hats was a concern.

‘By introducing this rule, Aquinas College students will have a decreased risk of developing skin cancer later in life, which is an incredible accomplishment,’ she said. ‘They are a shining example for other schools to look up to.’