STAR College learners showed creativity and insight at the recent CAO Art Competition 2026. This year’s theme, “Education and Climate Change,” drew 387 entries from talented learners across the province, showcasing the urgent need for awareness and action on environmental issues.

Among the many inspiring works, learners from Star College stood out with their impactful messages and artistic excellence. The competition was divided into Junior (grades seven to nine) and Senior (grades 10-12) divisions, with entries competing for top honors.

Grade Nine learner Liyah Govender secured first place in the Junior Division with her striking 3D mixed-media piece titled “In our hands”. Liyah’s artwork vividly highlights ocean pollution and its devastating effects on marine life.

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She said her piece shows how human waste suffocates marine creatures, but also emphasises that we hold the power to change this.

“The dark blue border with sketches of plastic bottles and trash contrasts with a bright coral reef inside, symbolising hope. The sculpted hand rising from the canvas is a reminder that the future of our oceans is in our hands, either we let trash destroy our seas, or we choose to protect them.”

In the Senior Division, Grade 10 learner Sitara Naicker earned third place with her artwork “Stitched together, Falling apart”. Her piece is divided into three zones illustrating the impact of climate change across different ecosystems. She explained that the blue zone shows melting polar ice with a penguin and a polar bear, highlighting their loss of habitat.

“The green zone depicts the Earth in crisis, with hands holding the planet and a thermometer showing a fever symbolising human responsibility. The brown zone reflects land damage, with a tornado and a tree with SOS. I used wool and crochet to symbolise that protecting the environment is like stitching; small efforts can come together to hold the world together. Art can be a voice for the planet.”

Grade Eight learner Saranyah Moodley earned second place in the Junior Division with her artwork, “The effects of climate change on marine life”. Saranyah’s piece features a turtle with waste inside its shell, representing how pollution and climate change threaten marine animals. She shared, “My artwork is a reminder that our choices impact nature and the animals that depend on it. I wanted to show that even small actions can have a big effect, and we need to be mindful of how we treat our environment.”

Over and above their prestigious awards, the ladies won the school cash prizes, with Liyah winning R10 000 for the school, Saranyah R7000 and Sitara R5000.

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