An Otumoetai school's push for greater sun-smart awareness could see its students wrapping on a pair of sunglasses come the start of Term 4.

Otumoetai Intermediate is this week seeking parent feedback on whether sunglasses should be introduced to the school uniform.

Otumoetai Intermediate pupils try out the new sun-smart look the school is considering.

It's a move to further aligning the school with the Cancer Society's ‘Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap' slogan, says principal Henk Popping.

The school already encourages its 760 pupils to wear sunhats year-round and they are a compulsory uniform addition in Terms 1 and 4.

Henk says a move towards implementing sunglasses into the school uniform follows resounding support from teachers and pupils.

He hopes, if adopted, the sunglasses will become an option come the start of Term 4 on October 13.

'We have a small survey monkey going at the moment with 85 per cent [of parents] in full support.

'As a principal I have been looking at this for about four or five years because I'm certainly interested in students' health and welfare.”

According to the British Eyecare Trust eyes are 10 times more sensitive to UV light than skin.

Children are seen as the most at risk, because younger eyes have larger pupils and clearer lenses, allowing up to 70 per cent more UV light to reach the retina than an adult's eye does.

A hat can stop up to 50 per cent of UV light.

Several Australian states have adopted the sunglasses into school uniforms, a move Henk says New Zealand schools should follow.

'I guess most schools in the past would say it's going to be more of a problem with lost sunglasses and people coming with designer glasses.

'We treat it the same as cell phones. Students have cell phones at school, there is no big issues as they bring what they like as long as they take responsibility for them.”

The school is looking into options of a sunglasses and sunhat package with the help of a local optometrist, where sunglasses are available to children for less than $10.

Discussions will also be held with the school's uniform supplier about offering 100 per cent UV protected sunglasses.

'Ideally we would like to get some glasses that are around the $15-20 mark but fully UV rated.”

Cancer Society spokesperson Rachael Mounsey says it is pleasing to see the school proactively looking at new ways for sun-smart behaviour.

Skin cancer is New Zealand's most common form of cancer, with evidence showing overexposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun during childhood significantly increases the risk of developing skin cancers later in life.

The Cancer Society believes schools can play an important role in helping reduce these skin cancer statistics by practicing SunSmart behaviours with children while they are at school.

'Students are at school when the sun is at its strongest and UV levels are at its peak. We advocate sun-smart behaviour between 10am and 4pm, basically when students are at school,” says Rachael.

'The fact that the school is taking that on board and embracing it is great for the students.”

The Cancer Society encourages parents purchasing sunglasses for their children to look for the code AS/NZS1067..2003 on the sunglasses, meaning they meet Australian/New Zealand standards.