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.

“Hi Melanie,

Tutoring is going really well - Mitchell says he finally understands things, he thinks Jeremy is great. Thank you so much - a relief for us.”

Mitchell’s mother Amanda, November 2016
Year 12, Physics

"I found the high level of knowledge from my tutor, and the use of past ncea examinations from my chosen subject, increased my ability to answer previously difficult questions in my chosen subject with ease."

Jackson, December 2009
Year 11, Level 1 Physical Science

"Can I also add my thanks for all your efforts and positive reinforcement for Briar over the past two years. I am just so pleased that Briar has put in the hard yards, maintained her effort even when she thought she was not getting ahead, and enjoyed the success of her efforts. It speaks volumes for your approach to tutoring and I am so pleased that we found you on the web and decided to work with you."

Briar’s mother Cathie, December 2009
Year 13, Level 3 Biology

"Thank you so much for all your help with Luke & Bex over the past years. We really appreciate all the time and effort you have put into teaching them, you were a God send, honestly!"

Luke’s & Bex’s parents Peter & Nancy, November 2014
Year 13, Biology, Chemistry & Statistics

“Tom has improved his test scores in maths and will be up streamed soon we hope. His confidence has improved hugely and that is due to the knowledge and understanding Sean has given him. Sean was easy to get on with, a great role model and very smart and appropriate at all times, a great teacher.”

Tom’s mother Jo, January 2016
Year 10, Mathematics

“George's first tutorial went great thank you very much! Joe was great. George really enjoyed it and even said it was fun!! James and I are very excited to know that George is getting such great help.”

George’s mother Gwynneth, June 2015
Year 4, Mathematics

“Thanks Melanie. Mo has been a wonderful tutor to Dalton and Dalton has really come to like him. I have already asked Mo if he is still tutoring next year to assist Dalton again. Wishing you a happy Christmas and many thanks for all your help.”

Dalton’s mother Brigitte, November 2016
Year 11, Mathematics

"I believe that Alice's time with AHeadStart Tuition gave her a greater understanding of Physics than she was ever able to achieve at school. The one on one approach seems to really work, and Alice actually enjoyed completing the homework set for her. I'm hoping that this once a week session will mean that she has achieved all of her Year 12 Physics papers, which she was unable to do when studying the subject full time at school last year."

Alice’s mother Judy, December 2009
Year 13, Level 2 Physics

"Thanks for all the help you have given Sam. You have done a great job and have a lovely way of teaching."

Sam’s grandmother Jackie, December 2012
Year 13, Level 3 Statistics

"Clara has been a great help and we appreciate all the work she has done with Imogen!|
We will be in touch early next year to start up again. Many thanks"

Imogen's father John, November 2024
Year 11, Mathematics

“Hi Melanie 

The tutorial went extremely well. Douglas was quite apprehensive but totally clicked with Jackson and said the 90minutes went very quickly and Jackson helped enormously with the maths and chemistry he had been doing this week. 

Many Thanks, Catriona”

Douglas’ mother Catriona, February 2016
Year 11, Mathematics & Science​

"Vincent us very happy with Sophie. 

I would like to let you know that Vincent got a certificate on school today. He got certificate because his reading improved.

Thank you very much."

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

“Thanks Melanie and Lauren

Lauren has been a very positive feature of the year, and I would like to thank her for her support.

Regards, Frances”

Rebecca’s mother Frances, November 2016
Year 13, English & Classics

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

Woooppp, thank-you for your help!

Anna.”

Anna, June 2016
Year 13, Biology

“Hi Melanie,

Thank you so much for helping with us with a tutor at the last minute.

Thomas has really enjoyed Sam and has definitely found it helpful, so fingers crossed!! We would definitely recommend both AHeadStart and Sam to anyone.

Many thanks, Charlene”

Thomas’s mother Charlene, November 2016
Year 13, Economics

“Hi Melanie,
Ben really enjoyed the lesson - learnt heaps he said ! Very upbeat about it, and really liked Sean. Many thanks and best wishes, Susie.”

Ben’s mother Susie, March 2016
Year 7, Mathematics

“Alex has achieved a greater understanding of Physics thanks to working with Emma. It has taken her from not achieving in Term One to full internal Excellence results for the balance of the year. So please pass onto Emma our thanks for working with Alex throughout most of 2016. Picking Physics up for the first time in year 13 was a challenge.

Kind regards, Karen”

Alexandra’s mother Karen, October 2016
Year 13, Physics

“The tuition helped Ellen pass all the Chemistry Papers at Level 3 that she sat. She learnt to understand the chemistry concepts that were proving difficult for her. [She enjoyed the] one on one time to fully understand the chemistry that she wasn't grasping in a full classroom situation and the opportunity to have her questions answered in a manner that she understood. She improved her results from the mock exams until the final exams.”

Ellen’s mother, January 2016
Year 13, Chemistry

"[My son] found going over the specific areas that he didn't understand [helpful]...again the ability to personalise teaching to his specific learning needs."

Mother of student December 2009
Year 12, Level 2 Chemistry

"Hi Melanie. Taylor got all of her biology credits (23) and has been accepted into Otago polytech for the bachelor of nursing :-)"

Taylor’s mother Yvonne, January 2014
Year 13, Biology

“Jedd is dyslexic and needed assistance with implementing and understanding what he was learning at school.
Jedd's school report was excellent and he achieved "above the standard" results in many of the assessed areas which was impressive for Jedd!”

Jedd’s mother, January 2016
Year 10, English

“Hey Melanie, just got my results and I got 560 when I only needed to get 540!! Thanks heaps for the tutoring sessions. I know it was brief but it really helped!”

Sorren, December 2012
SAT College Admission Exam

“I would just like to say thank you to Aaron and yourself for the wonderful tuition that Mathew has received. It is appreciated.”

Mathew’s mother Andrea, December 2016
Year 12, English

"Our daughter gained invaluable help from her AHeadStart tutors. After each lesson she came away feeling energised by the learning that she had done and she looked forward to the next lesson. She went into her final exams feeling confident that she had the knowledge to pass them."

Rachel’s mother Elizabeth, December 2009
Year 13, Level 3 Chemistry, Physics & Statistics

"Thank you so much for all the support you and your team have given Hiyori since May.
Harry was wonderful today - so kind and knowledgeable.
Thank to your tutoring, Hiyori hasn't fallen behind.We're thrilled to share that she received the Otago Univerity Academic Excellence Scholarshipfor 2026! We truly appreciate your help.
Best, Chikako"

Hiyori's mother Chikako, October 2025
Year 13 Calculus, Chemistry & Physics

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.