DT38 Foundation’s ‘Didge’ programme has officially launched in east London, with pupils at William Bellamy Primary School the first to benefit from West Ham United Foundation’s delivery of the syllabus created in memory of Hammers Academy starlet Dylan Tombides, who tragically passed away in 2014.
DT38 Foundation launched the children’s book ‘Didge’ last summer, and have enjoyed a successful roll-out of the teaching syllabus which accompanies it in Australia. Having partnered with West Ham United Foundation and adapted the learning apparatus, the syllabus carries itself across KS1 and KS2 and aims to arm future generations with strategies to be resilient through adversity.
William Bellamy Primary School signed up for the Didge project after their PE Coordinator, Donna Rose, was contacted by WHU Foundation. Donna, who is a Hammers fan, recalls being with the Barking and Dagenham District Year 6 football team at a tournament in Jersey when she heard of Dylan’s passing.
Inspired by DT38 Foundation’s ability to create such a positive project from a tragic story, Donna signed the school up for the taster session.
The response from the session was overwhelming. Afterwards the pupils described Didge as encouraging, an inspiration, a calming and kind person and a good footballer.
Donna, PE Co-ordinator, William Bellamy Primary School
Through Dylan’s real life story, the Didge programme gives teachers and students the necessary knowledge about health and wellbeing that will enable them to be confident when taking health matters in their own hands, as well as helping teachers to learn how to engage in sensitive topics with their pupils.
Donna said: “The response from the session was overwhelming. Afterwards the pupils described Didge as encouraging, an inspiration, a calming and kind person and a good footballer. We are delighted with the outcomes of the taster session, and are looking forward to receiving the full programme delivery, which begins later this month.”
WHU Foundation are actively looking to engage with new schools and have 6 week programmes available covering PSHE and literacy themes. To enquire about the DT38 programme, please email Ross Williams: [email protected]