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.

"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

"Please thank Jonathan from us. He has been a great tutor for Izzy.  A really good choice for her!! We are grateful for his kind teaching and his genuine understanding of her. He has had a big impact."

Izzy's mother Juliet, November 2025
Year 13 Calculus, Chemistry & Physics

“We tried Numberworks when the children were younger. I think the total one on one AHeadStart tutoring was better for our Catherine.”

Catherine’s mother Vivienne, January 2014
Year 12, Biology, Chemistry & Mathematics

“The tuition was excellent and believe it really helped my son to achieve the best level he could. Dion's results did improve thru the year with tuition. I think he would have struggled without it. I'd like to say thanks!”

Dion’s mother Andrea, January 2016
Year 13, Calculus & Chemistry

"Yes it went really well Thank you, Indiana engaged with her well, and she enjoyed her session would be keen to more sessions with Eden."

Indiana's mother Jodie, June 2024
Year 2, Literacy and Numeracy

“I PASSED MY EXAM!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for everything you have done for me! You are a star xxxxx”

Amy to Marwah, January 2017
Bachelor of Teaching (primary), Mathematics

“Hi Melanie

The purpose for my email is to let you know how much Eveane is enjoying her sessions and how much she has improved in a very short time. She had an internal assessment about 3 weeks ago and at that stage she had only had a couple of sessions. She was beyond surprised to have gone from Not Achieving in Chemistry to achieving Excellence for her assessment. She has developed a lot more confidence and understanding in THIS subject now.

Thank you so very much, we are beyond grateful!

Regards,
Suz”

Eveane’s mother Suzanne, July 2016
Year 12, Chemistry

“Hi Melanie, tutorials have been going really well this term! I’ve found tutoring has been helping lots and Robert definitely knows what he’s talking about and can answer every question I have for him.”

Ruby, July 2014
Year 12, Biology & Mathematics

"Briar was totally chuffed at her results and deservedly so. But the key for me was that it confirmed for her that she was quite capable of working through and understanding her maths, even though she had convinced herself that this was not possible. It seems to be a real issue for maths that so many students think that they are totally unable to comprehend the principles - you either like maths or you hate it and there seems to be no grey area in-between. So the credit really goes to you Melanie for getting Briar over that "useless at maths" label and giving her the chance to succeed - and she did so well! You have a great intuition for understanding how best to explain the subject."

Briar’s mother Cathie, January 2009
Year 12, Level 2 Mathematics

"Not only has my Max found your Max very helpful with his maths learning, but he has also enjoyed his company, taken a tutorial at the University and been inspired to follow in Max’s footsteps and aim to do a degree in Computer Science! A direction was what Max needed most of all so now he has a reason to try to do well in his exams."

Max’s mother Caroline, October 2014
Year 12, Mathematics

“Hi Melanie. Just to let you know I got merit in both concepts and distributions. Thanks again for all your help.”

Matthew, January 2016
Year 13, Statistics

"Ariana had a great 1st session tonight with Stuti and was very pleased and impressed with her tutoring skills as well."

Ariana's mother Sam March 2025
Year 13, Physics & Statistics

"[Melanie] made her feel more confident and relaxed about biology, confirmed her knowledge and allowed her a relaxed environment in which to ask questions which were concerning her about details of the subject."

Ngaio’s mother Jenny, January 2009
Year 13, Level 3 Biology

"Hi Melanie. I got excellence in NCEA! I also got e in mechanics and biology and e endorsement in maths. I’m so happy! Thank you so much for the help you gave me this year."

Ellen, January 2012
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

"Hi Melanie,

Thanks for checking in. Her first tutor session went really well. She got along really well with Lucy and finished up feeling so great about it. We're really happy with how it went also and looking forward to seeing Sophias confidence grow now that shes getting help to understand her sciences.

So far so good, thankyou so much.

Kind regards,
Amanda"

Sophia's mother Amanda, April 2026
Year 12 Biology, Chemistry & Physics 

“Tuition with Hamish was fantastic - thank you. Sophia said he explained things really well and was able to answer her questions. She even came back enthusiastic and explained to us how you calculate the charge of elements in the periodic table! We would like to keep the Monday sessions with him.”

Sophia’s father Greg, October 2015
Year 11, Science

“AHeadStart has been incredibly helpful and I definitely would have struggled in exams without the tuitions. AHeadStart overall is better that any of the other tutors I have attended in terms of learning and memorising, approach, time and location. I would recommend AHeadStart to my friends.”

Richard, January 2014
Year 12, Level 2 Biology, Chemistry & Physics

"Harry is a fantastic tutor and Scarlett has really enjoyed her lessons with him."

Scarlett's mother Claire, November 2024
Year 12, Level 3 Calculus

"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

“My daughter's confidence, self-esteem and knowledge have all improved significantly. Clare had been considered 'at risk' of not passing NCEA by her school. However she ended up earning 102 credits which she was very excited about.
She doesn't find tutoring boring and is always happy to go. [She enjoys] Jackson's warm, kind and patient manner as well as his ability to explain things in different ways until she understood - he didn't make her feel stupid for asking for more detail.
Highly recommend AHeadStart.”

Clare’s mother, January 2016
Year 11, English & Science

“Josh said the time with Jacob was good and that in his next maths class he had he was able to understand it better. So we are both happy �� thank you. Lynne”


Josh’s mother Lynne, March 2016
Year 11, Mathematics

 

"It was lovely to meet Isabella today at UC library.
Sota told me afterwards that Isabella was very helpful, honest and understanding. He is happy to continue his lesson with Isabella.
Thank you."

Sota's guardian Mari, March 2025
Year 13, Biology

"We have been so impressed with the very tailored guidance that Olivia had given Logan this year. He has, and continues to learn a lot from her."

Logan's mother Geraldine, November 2024
Year 11, English

"Thank you Melanie. We really appreciate the thorough report.  I must say it is wonderful to see Jack's confidence grow.  Isla does such a great job teaching Jack - she is so patient and kind, and also very smart.
Best, Ali."

Jack's mother Ali, August 2026
Year 5 English & Mathematics

“Sarah started the course late. However, since starting she has a more positive outlook and understanding of the subject maths.

Her test results at school were pleasing and it was great to see achieves, merits and excellence right across the board. Even though maths was only achieved in terms of marks Sarah is now more confident in knowing she will pass NCEA in 2016.”

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