Ross Park uses the Northern Territory Curriculum Framework outcomes as the basis for its programs. This includes the Essential Learnings and Key Learning Areas :

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Studies of Society and Environment
• The Arts - Music, Dance, Drama , Art/Craft
• Health and Physical Education
• Technology
• Languages Other Than English (L.O.T.E.)

The school is responsible for timetabling, integrating key learning areas and assisting teachers to select learning experiences and assessment methods from curriculum approved by the Northern Territory Board of Studies.

In 2011, we have piloted the Australian Curriculum in Maths, providing feedback to the NT.

Students from a background where English is their second language receive support through an ESL program. Support is delivered in two ways:

• Mainstream Support where the ESL teacher works with the classroom teacher to modify the class learning program and also with the student in a support role within the classroom.
• Withdrawal Support where students are taken from the classroom for intensive learning experiences with the ESL teacher.

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Each classroom has at least two PCs that are connected to the Internet and a network printer. These computers are used to support the learning that takes place in the classroom. The school also has digital cameras, including video cameras, scanners and data projectors for teachers to use in class programs. There is an interactive whiteboard in the library.

In 2007, we used the Investing in our Schools federal government's grant to purchase a large LCD screen for every learning area. These are used with a computer for interactive learning. During 2008, 24 laptops were added to the ICT resources for student use. In 2011, an additional 24 Macbooks were purchased and an iPad for each class. They are very popular items in all classes!

• Each class is timetabled to attend a weekly 90 minute Design and Art (DART) session with a specialist teacher.
• Each class also attends aweekly  lesson with our Music, Dance and Drama teacher (MaDD)
  
• Students with special needs have access to a specialist ESL teacher, Reading Intervention program and Learning Support teacher.

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Library
                                                                                     

The Library provides a range of fiction and non-fiction, books, posters, reference books, computer disks and audio-visual software and hardware for use in the library and classroom. Library procedure, information skills and literature appreciation are developed as a sequence of skills during library lessons from Preschool to Year 6, while the idea of reading for pleasure is promoted on an ongoing basis.

Students may borrow from 3 - 6 books, depending on their year level, for a period of 1 or 2 weeks. Books may be exchanged more often, however, and the Library is open before and after school for this purpose.

The Library is also open at lunchtimes for additional borrowing and returning of materials, quiet reading and a variety of games.

 Parents are always welcome - come in and browse, borrow books or offer help with book covering and reshelving. Parents of Preschool and Early Childhood classes particularly are encouraged to join their children for Library lessons and to choose books together to read at home. Extra books may be borrowed by parents in their children’s names.

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Learning Support Unit

The school is staffed by the following:

• Full time Special Education Teacher
• Full time Special Education Assistant
• 0.5 (part time) ESL Teacher
• 0.5 (part time)  ILSS Teacher
  
• Special Education Support Assistants (SESAs)

Students with special needs are supported in their classroom environment by the intervention team members. Occasionally these students are withdrawn for intensive skills sessions.

The Learning Support staff employ the following strategies to ensure students with special needs feel safe and included in the school's programs:

• collaborative planning with teachers
• weekly meetings with teachers whom they support
• withdrawal for skills only eg phonics, reading and some maths
• working in the classroom with students
• open lines of communication between students, teachers and parents

This is undertaken by voluntary instructors representing the major church denominations. Attendance at Religious Education is a parent option.

Students in junior classes participate in a two week swimming program that runs in second semester. Lessons are held daily for 30 minutes. Students are bussed to the Town Pool where they are grouped according to swimming ability. Austswim trained instructors supervise the program.

Many musical activities occur on Tuesdays at Ross Park. These include various choirs and instrumental instruction. The Alice Springs Music Centre provides an  instrument program that caters for students who wish to learn musical instruments, voice or keyboard. Students receive weekly instruction from specialist teachers. In addition, a number of private tutors visit the school on Tuesdays to provide lessons on site.

Parents who are interested in having their child involved in the instrument program should contact the Music Centre on 89530202 or the Ross Park front office.

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