Gavin Love – driving popular mechanics W hile navigating a very rewarding career, After 30 years in the polytechnic education environment, Gavin had been ready for a new
Headmaster Simon Leese – a car person – and HOD – Technology Tony Holland.” Gavin initially had moved into the education sector after working for several years in the automotive industry. “I had done an apprenticeship when I left school in Wellington because I was mad on automotive,” he says. “I got to the stage after six or seven years that it wasn’t a challenge and even though I had won Best Apprentice Awards and done well, I saw this one-year job as an auto body tutor at the Christchurch Technical Institute and thought ‘I am far too young to get this role’ – but I did. I absolutely loved it. “However, the thing that I loved the most was that I did not have to drop any of my standards in
Mechanical Engineering teacher Gavin Love (Te Ātiawa) has helped to steer hundreds of young people in the right direction. Today, the workshop mentor remains a sounding board for many in their post-College lives, often called on for advice on an engineering-related project or a trade-related opportunity. Gavin has retired after “a great 10 years” at Christ’s College, having been instrumental in the successful launch of the Mechanical Engineering course. While teaching boys from Years 9–13, he has shared the extensive engineering skills that are integral to developing careers in a range of industries.
challenge and applied for the role of technician at Christ’s College in 2012. “I had finished up at the Christchurch Polytechnic (now Ara) after 30 years tutoring auto body engineering and then been self-employed for three years but really missed teaching,” he recalls. “I saw that College was advertising for a technician and thought ‘that will really get me back to what I enjoy most’. “Within my first year at College, I was asked to start the Mechanical Engineering programme. I knew I had the skills and experience for teaching and the range of engineering talents. I also had strong support from then
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