THE Herm school has used this year’s project on the Tudors as the subject for its annual fund-raising calendar.

Leading on from their previous years’ projects of the works of Shakespeare, the children wanted to carry on reading the plays they hadn’t had time to cover. This fitted in perfectly with Year 4’s study of the Tudors, which they were also doing in school in Guernsey.

The main focus of the calendar is Henry VIII, both in his young, womanising days and as the bloated, bearded beheader we are so familiar with. As there are only five girls in school, one of the wives may look a little boyish, but despite this, the pictures work well.

Other royals and plays included are Mary, Queen of Scots, persecuting Catholics and hence getting her block chopped off; a very regal Elizabeth I; the Merry Wives of Windsor stuffing Falstaff in a basket, and death by bear in A Winter’s Tale.

Needless to say, some of the subject matter is a little gruesome, but the children have prepared for this by watching episodes of Horrible Histories, namely the Terrible Tudors. They also attended a play and workshop at Candie Museum, from where they borrowed several of the featured costumes.

The calendar photos are originally taken by teacher Mary Carey, then passed on to her daughter Emily for final touches. Emily is studying graphic design at university and has a talent for taking a snapshot, adding storm clouds, fairy magic and ghostly figures, and creating an engaging work of art.

As well as raising money for the school, the calendar is also a good way to show off the more historic and atmospheric parts of the island. The Common, Oyster Point and Bluebell Woods provide timeless settings and gorgeous backdrops for the children’s dramatic portrayals.

* Calendars will be available from the Herm Gift Shops within the next few weeks.