‘Slip, slop, slap and wrap'.

For one Tauranga school, being able to complete the SunSmart message after introducing optional sunglasses to its school uniform is something to take pride in.

Otumoetai Intermediate students Josh Christie and Hanisi Penjueli didn't have any sun to worry about today, but they are ready for the summer. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

At the beginning of term four, Otumoetai Intermediate implemented the optional eyewear after consulting parents and caregivers.

It is believed to be the first of its kind in Tauranga.

In response, about 88 per cent responded with 'Yes, I think it is important to encourage students to wear sunglasses when outside at school”.

Roughly nine per cent said: 'Other – should be options and any style” and around five per cent replied: 'No – I think they should not be encouraged at school”.

Otumoetai Intermediate principal Henk Popping says it is pleasing to be able to further align the school with the Cancer Society's ‘Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap' slogan, as well as ensuring children keep their eyes covered while out in the sun.

The school already encourages its 760 pupils to wear sunhats year-round and they are a compulsory uniform addition in terms one and four.

Early into the term the school hasn't been overwhelmed with a rush of sunglasses, but with the warmer months approaching, he is confident sunglasses will become hot property for the children.

'I think as the sun gets hotter, as we go right into the summer, we will see a few more come in,” says Henk.

'Kids, just like they are with cell phones and sunhats and things, know it's there as an opportunity and will take it up when they are out shopping with their mums and dads.”

Henk adds there are no plans in the future for sunglasses to become a compulsory part of the uniform, with the majority expressing it to remain optional.

The only expectation is that sunglasses worn at school are of a black wrap-around style with a 100 per cent UV rating.

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.

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

Cancer Society spokesperson Rachael Mounsey said at the time of the parent and caregiver survey it was pleasing to see the school proactively looking at new ways for SunSmart behaviour.

'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,” said Rachael.

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