Fr John Therry Catholic Primary, Balmain got together with five other schools from Sydney's inner west this week to help launch the SunSmart Primary School program.

Marking the first day of National Skin Cancer Action Week (16-22 November), the school joined forces with students and parents from public and independent schools, alongside NSW Education Minister Verity Firth, to reinforce the importance of sun protection practices from an early age.

Despite skin cancer lessons in the classroom, Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world and about half the population will develop skin cancer in their lifetime, according to Kay Coppa, Skin Cancer Manager at Cancer Council NSW.

In a bid to reverse this trend, Cancer Council NSW launched the new program to provide practical support and resources to help schools develop strategies and reduce the risk of skin cancer in later life.

The program is free for all schools and provides recommendations for parents and teachers including safe scheduling of outdoor activities, effective use of shade, teacher role modeling and curriculum resources for teaching across all grade levels.

Adrian Eussen , PDHPE Adviser in the Sydney Archdiocese, says that Catholic schools are "Sunsmart Schools" and always have 30-plus sunscreen on hand when taking part in outside activities.

"Many shelters and shade structures have been upgraded in schools as part of the Sunsmart program, and all schools have a No Hat No Play Policy promoting the use of Sunsmart hats and clothing," he said.

Catholic schools across Sydney teach the importance of sun protection as part of the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education program.

"Students are taught the importance of sound decision making in relation to personal health choices, in particular sun protection, as part of their curriculum," Mr Eussen said. "Schools also re info rce this message thorough water safety units covered in Term 4, and staff always role model Sunsmart behaviour when teaching lessons outdoors by wearing hats and sunglasses."