1 August 2007: Being Cool at School

There was a time when wearing sunglasses would have been seen as too cool for school, but no longer.

At Sydney's Arncliffe Public School, "Sunnies", as they are called in Australia, are already compulsory in the playground.

The move is aimed at protecting young eyes from the sun's dangerous ultraviolet rays, and Australian education authorities say they are considering adopting the plan at all state schools.

Experts say that exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays, already blamed for skin cancers, can also lead to cataracts, and advise that wraparound sunglasses are the best for eye protection for children from age three upwards.