Call us today: 021 156 9281

 

Melanie Coker small.jpg"Hi, I'm Melanie Coker, the  founder and director of AHeadStart Ltd. Tutoring from AHeadStart provides students with the tools to achieve their best, no matter what level they are at.

Starting from five tutors in 2009, AHeadStart now has more than 40 tutors in Christchurch. Over 4,000 students have so far benefitted from our tuition. So many have gone on to achieve degrees they would never have believed possible while at school. Tuition with AHeadStart has opened their minds to the possibilities, altered their dreams for the better and ultimately changed their lives.

I will personally guide each student through the start of their tutoring journey, and make sure they have the best tutor to suit their needs. I give you my personal guarantee."

 

Why AHeadStart Tuition?

  • Personalised one-on-one tutoring in Christchurch - one-on-one or in small groups
  • Convenient Christchurch locations - in person at a local library or in your own home
  • Tuition for all levels - primary (literacy and numeracy), secondary (NCEA, Cambridge and IB) and adult students
  • Expert tutors - high achieving, excellent communicators with a passion for learning
  • Multiple subjects - our tutors can assist students with several subjects within each tutorial
  • Choice of tuition plans - select your desired level of guidance, including progress reports
  • Online tutoring - available all across New Zealand
  • Great value - from $63 per hour for a one-on-one tutorial in person
  • Payment options - pay per tutorial, or in bulk for a 10% discount
  • No fixed term - choose how many tutorials you need to achieve your goals

Contact us for a FREE consultation

 

PERSONALISED ONE-ON-ONE TUITION

Individually customised tutorials match each student's own unique needs

Personalised


Our initial assessment and tailored lessons allows students to be taught more effectively, in a way that meets their own specific requirements.

One-on-one


Individual tuition benefits students as they focus better, increase their confidence and learn more.
 

Expert Tutors


We guide students in their studies and help them develop better study skills, so they perform their best in exams and assessments.

“A few years ago we tried Kip McGrath. AHeadStart leaves Kip McGrath for dead.”

Sarah’s mother Linda, January 2016
Year 10, Mathematics

"Melanie has fantastic communication skills. She was able to break down difficult concepts and show the connection to other areas in my paper. Thanks again Melanie."

Rachel Filipov, July 2009
Level 100 Statistics

"If left to his own devices, I am not sure our son would have achieved such great results. Melanie provided great resources and tuition, and also helped him to believe that he could do it. "

Kieran’s mother Marian, December 2009
Year 12, Level 2 Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics

"[Tuition] gave me a better understanding of things. John made everything clear unlike my teacher. He continuously went over the questions I found hard so that he knew i could do them well and always explained the process really simply....thank you so much for all your help, John really helped me to understand everything it was such a big help and really made me feel great when I got back tests that I actually passed."

Kate, December 2009
Year 12, Level 2 Maths & Physics

"Thanks for the tutoring for Liam. He ended up with a merit endorsement for Physics and 2 merits and an achieved in the external."

Liam’s mother Raewyn, January 2014
Year 12, Physics

“I have been very happy with the progress Henry has been making and finding the tutoring very beneficial for him. He seems to connect well with Jackson.”

Henry’s mother Tracey, September 2015
Year 10, English & Mathematics

“WOOOPPP I got excellence for Bio!!! :O

Woooppp, thank-you for your help!

Anna.”

Anna, June 2016
Year 13, Biology

“I have to say that Jeremy was not only a fabulous tutor but also a good role model for an impressionable 12 year old boy! He now wants to go to University to do a mechanical or electrical engineering degree majoring in robotics!!

Thanks again and no doubt I will be calling on your services at some stage in the future.”

Josh’s mother Lee, May 2015
Year 7, Mathematics

"Thanks so much for your assistance and great tutoring!! Ben was advised today that he got a merit!! We're thrilled.

Thx again! We have appreciated your feedback along the way."

Ben’s father Simon, January 2014
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

“Hi Chloe, it’s Olivia just wanted to let you know that I passed both of my externals for chemistry that we worked on :) and passed NCEA and got my UE :)”

Olivia, January 2013
Year 12, Chemistry

"Thank you for your service and a huge thanks to Aarya. She has been amazing for Blake."

Blake's mother Kirstine, November 2024
Year 13, Calculus

"Nye is loving both tutors. James, his physics/math one he is super impressed with apparently he uses a white board and Nye said it is great!
Daisy was giving him some awesome advice on uni as well so I really appreciate these amazingly clever young people! 
Thank you!"

Nye's mother Sara, April 2024
Year 13, English, History, Physics, Statistics

“Hi Melanie,

Victoria went really well with Rebecca, she said she was really lovely and was a very good tutor. She said she thought Rebecca was going to be a great help.

Another outstanding tutor - I'm not sure how you do it!

Many thanks

Andrea.”

Victoria’s mother Andrea, July 2016
Year 12, Economics

"Hamish did much better than we expected with his Economics exam.
All indications from parent interview/school reports were that Hamish was struggling. So, I suspect these results are a result of the excellent work Alexandria has been doing with Hamish. Please thank her. She has a lovely personable manner as well."

Hamish's mother Fiona, August 2025
Year 12 Economics

"I received my results for maths and have achieved all and also got two merits (in arithmetic and geometric sequences and non-linear graphs) :)  I would like to take lessons again this year. "

Donia Hend, January 2008
Year 12, Level 2 Mathematics

"I passed all my maths and science papers with achieveds and merits."

Kieran, January 2009
Year 11, Level 1 Mathematics & Science

"John was very easy for her to understand and discuss problems with. Always prompt and loved the fact he came to our house."

Hannah’s mother Irene, December 2009
Year 12, Level 2 Physics

"Virat is really happy with his first lesson with Emma. 
He had few points which were not pretty clear to him before,  but Emma explained him well. 
Thank you."

Virat's father Sushil, February 2025
Year 11, Science

"Yes we met with Blake and he seems like a very professional person.

Michael was impressed, and liked Blake’s calm manner and how he didn’t put Michael down when Mike didn’t know something (I know that is what teachers are meant to be like but it is a big thing for Michael) J

We are very happy thank you."

Michael’s mother Fay, August 2013
Year 11, English

“Hey Marwah, I got my NCEA results back and thought you might like to know that I got achieved on life processes at the cellular level, as well as genetic variation and a merit on gene expression! Thank you for your help!!”

Annelise, January 2017
Year 12, Biology

“Samuel came away with excellence in both subjects. He may have achieved this by himself in maths, however I believe your tuition in Science made a big difference. This is one of the weaker faculty’s at Kaiapoi and the extra tuition meant all areas of the syllabus were covered."

Samuel’s mother Jasmine, January 2014
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

"Alice was amazing. Vincent enjoyed studying with her.
We are looking forward to see her again."

Vincent's mother Zsuzsanna, March 2025
Year 5, English

“Our daughter was home schooled and when she decided that she would like to do the qualifications that her friends were doing at school, we soon realized how behind she was, that was the reason I looked into a tutoring service. When I found AHeadStart they were just so helpful and helped us every step of the way.”

Mikayla’s mother Leeann, January 2016
Year 12, English & Mathematics

"A big thank you to Chloe for her support. She has been amazing. Jennifer has only had nice and positive things to say about Chloe the whole year. Jennifer has enjoyed her sessions with Chloe and has found her style of tutoring so beneficial. Jennifer wouldn't be where she is today without her."

Jennifer’s mother Nicola, November 2012
Year 13, Chemistry

“The most helpful thing about tutoring is when I don't get something my tutor will explain it in another way until I understand it. It is also useful to be able to ask as many questions as you want to.

In chemistry I found it really useful to be able to have someone explain directly a concept I didn't understand in class. I enjoyed eventually feeling confident with chemistry!”

Laura, January 2014
Year 12, Level 2 Chemistry & Mathematics

TUITION FOR ALL LEVELS

Tutorials are available for primary, secondary and adult students

PRIMARY STUDENTS

Your child may require help to catch up in reading, writing or maths, gain confidence and build a strong foundation.

Or they may want extension in their favourite subject, or one not covered much at primary school, such as science or coding.

Whatever your child's goals, our primary school tutors will guide your child through every tutorial through regular assessment and lots of encouragement!

More About Primary Tuition >

SECONDARY STUDENTS

Secondary school can be a stressful time for students, especially with regular NCEA assessments throughout the year. Fitting study in around sports and other extracurricular activities can also be challenging.

Whether a student wants to gain enough credits to pass the year, or is aiming for a Merit or Excellence endorsement, our tutors can assist to make that goal a reality. And of course we can also help with Cambridge and International Baccalaureate.
 

 
More About Secondary Tuition >

ADULT STUDENTS

As an adult student it can often be difficult getting back into study, as it may have been years since you opened a text book. You may also be tacking an unfamiliar subject such as mathematics or science.

On top of this you may be studying part time or extramurally, so it may a challenge to fit study around your daily life. Our tutors can help you streamline the learning process, so you can get through your studies with confidence!
 

More About Adult Tuition >

MULTIPLE SUBJECTS

Our tutors can assist students with many subjects in each tutorial

  1. AHeadStart can assist students with 30 different subjects - Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science and Accounting tutoring, are just a small selection.
  2. Most AHeadStart tutors have strengths in multiple NCEA, Cambridge and International Baccalaureate® (IB) subjects, even including subjects as diverse as English, Mathematics & Science!
  3. Flexibility of tutorial structure means students can choose which subjects the cover in a lesson. This means tutors can prepare students as best as possible before each school assessment.
  4. Students benefit by having one tutor to cover several subjects and make the most out of every tutorial.

 

 

Accounting

Secondary & Adult Tuition

English

Primary, Secondary & Adult Tuition

Mathematics

Primary, Secondary & Adult Tuition

Science

Primary, Secondary & Adult Tuition

OUR NUMBERS SAY IT ALL

Students

3,659+

 

Students have chosen AHeadStart

Tutors

40+

 

AHeadStart tutors to choose

Hours

60,702+

 

Hours of tuition provided

EXPERT TUTORS

Students choose their own tutor from a selection to match their specific needs

  1. Our team of Christchurch tutors are high achievers, excellent communicators and passionate about sharing their knowledge.
  2. Every tutor has personal experience of NCEA, Cambridge or IB at secondary school, and know what it takes to achieve success. Many tutors were Dux or Proxime Accessit, or involved in leadership positions such as Head Boy or Head Girl.
  3. Our tutors are selected via a very thorough interview process. All tutors are screened by the NZ Police prior to being placed with students.

 

TUITION PLANS

Students select a tuition plan to match their goals and level of motivation

ONE-ON-ONE TUITION

PLATINUM PLAN

For students who lack motivation and need guidance with their studies. Includes weekly homework and progress reports every 5 tutorials.

More Details

GOLD PLAN

For self-motivated students who take charge of their own learning and have questions about their school work.
 

More Details

GROUP TUITION

SILVER PLAN

For self-motivated students wanting personalised tuition in pairs.

Students need to have a sibling or friend they would like to have tuition with before choosing this plan.

More Details

GROUP PLAN

For self-motivated students who would like tuition in a small group.

Students need to have two siblings or friends they would like to have tuition with before choosing this plan.

More Details

TUITION FREQUENCY

Students choose how often they would like to see their tutor to match their needs

WEEKLY
 

  • Students have a regular weekly tutorial (or more) during the school terms.
  • Suits students who want consistent help throughout the year to stay on top of their schoolwork.

 

CASUAL
 

  • Students schedule tutorials as required, with no ongoing commitment.
  • Suits students who need help for a short period to catch up on missed work or assistance before assessments.
     

 

 

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Tuition at a local library or in your own home

Libraries

15+

Libraries where
AHeadStart has tutorials

Suburbs

70+

Suburbs where students
can be tutored at home

CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

A range of locations to suit your needs

  

City Libraries


Christchurch Public Libraries and the University of Canterbury provide a studious environment and inspire students to use these spaces in their own learning time.

We Can Come To You


Home tuition is available in Christchurch for those with busy schedules and offers a familiar, safe environment for the student to learn.