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.

"Robyn and I have no doubt that Bevan's help was essential.  I don't think Matthew ever reached "confident" but he did get back on top of the work and felt he did ok in the exams. Cambridge Maths at that level is tough obviously, Matt is smart and his class is full of smart boys, he tells us a significant number have fallen by the wayside blown away by the complexity and workload. We are grateful to Bevan for his patience, good humor and excellent tutoring."

Matt’s mother Robyn, June 2012
Year 11, Level 1 Mathematics

"Hi Melanie. It’s Nick. Just letting you know I got 63% for my maths test. Yes! A few silly mistake, so I could have done better but anyway 63 is better than a 0!"

Nick, June 2012
Level 100 Mathematics

“Thank you for sending the report through, and thank you to Aaron as well.  It’s great to see Henry improving and gaining more confidence with his work.”

Henry’s parents Stephanie & John, June 2016
Year 12, English

“Well, Tim said to me last week what do I do if I fail exam, I replied we will deal with that if it happens, Tim texted me this Monday to say he passed with merit - one point off an excellence!!

Thank you so so much - and please pass onto Hamish that we appreciate everything he has done and is doing for Tim, to be honest we never thought that he would get a merit for Maths!!”

Tim’s mother Jenny, July 2015
Year 11, Mathematics

"It went really well. Ella explained the subject very well and Hannah found her easy to understand - better than her physics teacher at school! 
Ella was very friendly and approachable and they both got on well.
Thank you for organising. Hannah is looking forward to her next session."

Hannah's mother Angela, April 2024
Year 12, Physics

"I just wanted to thank you for the tutorials. Izzy said Jonathan was incredible. She has only ever had positive feedback after each tutorial. It has been wonderful for her to have someone to work with who gives wider meaning and context to her subjects. From what I can tell Jonathan often provided different approaches to problems which has aided her true understanding. She really likes to understand things from the bottom up so I think they have worked well together. Please pass along our thanks to him.

Also, please do let us know if Jonathan will continue tutoring next year. I know Izzy would be keen to continue!"

Izzy's mother Juliet, November 2024
Year 12, Physics

“Hi Melanie,

I thought that it was very easy to get along with Lauren, we started doing a bit with essay structure and it was easy to understand because she would go over each step specifically. I think she knows what I want to learn out of these tutor lessons and how she can help me using different methods and small steps to get through it. She seems very knowledgeable so I think it will be good for me to learn of her.

Kind Regards, Alida.”

Alida, August 2016
Year 11, English

“Ben gained confidence in his ability to learn not just the required maths but some more challenging sums and instead of feeling overwhelmed doing any mathematics began to enjoy this subject, the first time in his whole life."

Ben’s mother Nikhola, January 2014
Year 11, 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

“Hi Melanie

Adam & Tim really connected & as far as Adam is concerned the extra tutorials were absolutely worth it & all being well the mark he receives will prove it. He doesn't think he would have felt the way he does if it wasn't for Tim. He even bought him a large bar of chocolate to say "thanks"! I presume he'll let Tim know once he receives his mark.

Thanks again.

Cheers, Ade”

Adam’s mother Ade, November 2016
Year 12, Mathematics

“Thanks Melanie, Jedd has done very well with English this year and has enjoyed his tutoring with Blake and English at school - which is a huge achievement!

We are keen for Jedd to have English tutoring again next year so please put him on your list of students who want tutoring.”

Jedd’s mother Stephanie, November 2015
Year 10, English

“Hi Melanie thank you for your tutoring last year, I just wanted you to know that I got excellence in bio! Thank you for helping me get there :)”

Rachel, January 2017
Year 13, Biology

“My ability to handle questions in the assignment has improved along with my confidence and skills using the calculator. I have developed skills in translating word problems in numbers and formulas.”

Lisa, January 2016
Graduate Diploma in Business, Mathematics

"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

“Emma said her tutorial with Jackson was fantastic yesterday. Being dyslexic and a very visual learner his style of teaching really suited her. She came home feeling really positive.”

Emma’s mother Catriona, September 2015
Year 12, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics

"Thank you so much for setting Scarlett's tuition up this year. She has found her sessions with Ciara so helpful - we've really appreciated her help.
Regards, Amanda"

Scarlett's mother Amanda, November 2025
Year 12 Chemistry & Mathematics

“Hi Melanie

Harry said the tutorial with Hayden was really really good. He said Hayden is was clear and kept moving (didn't waste time on stuff Harry knew) but made sure he understood before moving on.

Thanks so much Melanie - I felt the stress draining away after Harry told me the above about Hayden. It makes such a huge difference when I can be confident Harry has such great help to pass his exams. I am so impressed with how you run AHeadStart, so organised and on to it. I hope you are getting lots of students - I certainly have told quite a few people now.

Thanks and kind regards

Judith.”

Harry’s mother Judith, May 2016
Year 12, Chemistry & Physics

"Izzy was very happy with the tutorial!
Jonathan was very nice and he explained things to her amazingly well. In her words 'actually goated'. 
Thanks so much!"

Izzy's mother Juliet, February 2024
Year 12, Mathematics

“I would recommend AHeadStart to anyone - the one-on-one approach really works well and has benefited my teenage children. It is money well spent.”

Lauren’s & Sam’s mother Erin, January 2014
Year 9 & Year 12, Mathematics

“Thank you for your kind wishes to Charlie. He is quietly confident for a good result! Our thanks to James also. We were very happy with the quality of his tuition.”

Charlie’s mother Margaret, November 2015
Year 13, Calculus

“My daughter, Emerson, decided that she needed to pick up specific Sciences in Year 13 having only studied General Sciences up to Yr 12. To achieve to an excellent standard in L3 Chemistry she felt tuition would be valuable. We approached AHeadStart, who provided Emerson with Jackson. He was an amazing tutor who worked with Emerson throughout 2015 to an excellent standard. We were thrilled. Needless to say we had a fantastic experience with AHeadStart.”

Emmerson’s mother Tracey, January 2016
Year 13, Biology & Chemistry

“Jade was rapt with her first lesson with Amelia, thanks soooo much.”

Jade’s mother Sherie, September 2015
Year 11, Mathematics

"I am from St Andrew's College and have received tutoring from Melanie for the past two years, in Chemistry, Physics, [Mathematics] and Calculus in NCEA levels 2 & 3. I have found it very helpful to revise work that I was unsure of and for practical problem solving. I Found Melanie easy to relate to, and she had a wide knowledge of all the above subjects."

Tom Whitehead, December 2007
Year 13, Level 3 Calculus, Chemistry & Physics

"Thanks to Melanie & John for your very professional approach to tuition. You provide lots of information & resources which made the whole process easy & accessible. Thank you. "

Alice’s mother Robyn, December 2009
Year 12, Level 2 Physics

“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

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.