Update – Kaydon (Year 11) Elected as Youth Parliament Representative Update – Wednesday 6 April 2022 On Wednesday 6 April, Cllr James Mustoe visited Penrice Academy to meet Kaydon in person and congratulate him on being elected as a Member of Youth Parliament (MYP). Cllr James Mustoe and Kaydon standing outside Penrice Academy The pair chatted for over half an hour, discussing Kaydon’s aims in Youth Parliament as well as tackling the key issue of what more can be done to support teachers/pupils with Special Education Needs in Cornish schools. At the end of the meeting, Mr Mustoe said: “It was absolutely brilliant to meet Kaydon today and talk about his work as a Member of Youth Parliament. It is clear that he is a fantastic ambassador for Penrice Academy and the wider community. I wish him all the best for his first Youth Parliament meeting on Saturday 30th April and for his future.” Full Story (March 2022) Kaydon in Year 11 has been receiving plaudits from teachers and classmates over the past week after being elected as a Member of Youth Parliament (MYP), representing Cornwall. His manifesto, which focussed on championing autism, clearly struck a chord with young voters across the county and the 16-year-old is now one of three MYPs to be elected for Cornwall. Kaydon’s key goal is to achieve more clarity for people with autism. He will particularly be campaigning for funding to deliver specialist training for teachers and schools. He explained: “As I am someone who lives with Autism, I really want to give young people with autism in Cornwall a voice as I feel so much more can be done.” He continued: “Everyone has been supporting me throughout. In particular, I must say thanks to my Penrice tutor Miss Rice, my Penrice keyworker Mrs Rogers, and my St Blazey club leader, Mandy Hiscock. Lots of my classmates at school have shown their support by voting for me in the election. I’ve also received lots of support from my clubmates in St Blazey.” Kaydon is one of three new MYPs for Cornwall and he will meet his two colleagues for the first time on Saturday 30th April during their first parliamentary meeting. He will hold the position as a MYP for the next 2 years. Miss Rice, History Teacher and Kaydon’s Tutor, said: “Kaydon has been a fantastic ambassador for Penrice Academy for many years. He has represented the tutor group on the Year Council in Year 10. More recently, in the past 12 months, he has been and great addition to the Prefect Team. This new appointment is testament to Kaydon’s dedication and commitment to issues close to him. I am so proud of what he has achieved and wish him every success in his new role!” Mrs Rodgers, a SEND Support Specialist at Penrice Academy, said: “This is an amazing achievement and I know how hard he has worked to get it, I for one cannot think of a better, well deserving young person to participate in updating the UK Youth Parliament Manifesto!”. Next year, Kaydon plans to head to St Austell College and study Introduction to Motor Mechanics Level 3. Kaydon enjoyed working in a garage for work experience and wishes to pursue this avenue further. Penrice Academy wishes Kaydon the best for his role as a MYP and in his future endeavours. For more information, please visit the British Youth Council website.