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.

“Ross found the [Calculus] exam very difficult and he said everyone felt the same. He flew through differentiation but he said the rest was very tough. Nonetheless he believes he has passed. Hope so!!

Thanks to Max for all his help and patience with Ross throughout this year. Ross really enjoyed working with Max.”

Ross’ mother Jeanie, November 2015
Year 13, Calculus

“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

"I thought I would just flick you a short one to tell you that the lessons are great and going really well & Gemma is a fantastic tutor! Very patient and thorough, making sure I understand every step we go through. Thanks Briar (:"

Briar, May 2011
Year 12, Level 2 Mathematics & Physics

"Many thanks for your kind words Melanie.
Freddy seemed to think his physics went went.
Please pass on our thanks to Clara- Freddy thought she was great :)"

Freddy's mother Jane, November 2024
Year 12, Mathematics & Physics

“Thank you for your excellent tutoring service and support of Ben over the past couple years.”

Ben’s mother Anya, November 2015
Year 13, Statistics

"Tom thought his tutorial was very informative.
He is looking forward to learning more in his physics tutorials with Jack."

Tom's mother Katharine, March 2025
Year 12, Physics

"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 James and Melanie 
Thankyou so much for the support for Imogen's learning .

James you are making a huge difference to her learning and understanding of both Physics and Chemistry. 
Thank you for working and encouraging . It is fabulous to see how much she values the tutorials . 

Thank you James for communicating with Imogen and mutually flexing the scheduled time . 
Am really thankful for your time and effort.

Melanie I have already mentioned to other friends how fantastic this has been for Imogen .
Hope you both have a lovely week 

Thank you again for making learning enjoyable and successful."

Imogen's mother Louise, June 2025
Year 13 Chemistry & Physics

"Just thought I'd pass on that Beau really enjoyed his first session with Louie.  His comment was 'I thought Clara was good, but Louie just makes it so easy to understand and we get through so much.'
Thanks again Melanie- it takes a huge load of my mind knowing that your tutors are of such a high quality."

Beau's mother Kelly, September 2025
Year 11 Accounting

“I would recommend head start to any parent as an added learning tool for their child.”

Josh’s father Russell, January 2016
Year 13, Calculus

“[Alex] had his prize giving this week and got top of Calculus and Dux, so he was pretty happy!”

Alex’s tutor Don, November 2015
Year 13, Level 3 Calculus

"Thank you very much for the tuition I received Melanie. I appreciated the fact you always followed up the lessons and sent an email prior to any lessons asking what I would like to cover. You were always organised when I arrived and had any material available that you felt would benefit the lessons. Thank you for your patience also."

Julaine, December 2009
Level 100 Chemistry

“I have achieved a Distinction in ICAS and a Year Seven maths award.
I have learnt many new strategies to help me in maths and I think that this is how I have achieved these awards.”

George, January 2016
Year 7, Mathematics

“Melanie has given my daughter more confidence in her own abilities and she is more positive and engaged in her maths. I highly recommend this to anyone who feels their child needs a boost in a subject.”

Emma’s mother Karen, January 2016
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

"[I] have asked Gemma how her tutorial was and she said their session was good. They thought Helena was very smart (!) and she was able to help them understand their class work. All good for next Monday again."

Gemma’s mother Kathy, August 2014
Year 10, Mathematics

“AHeadStart suited my son well. He was motivated but did not want to ask questions in class and had low confidence in Calculus. He was in Year 13 so did not want me to be too involved! His marks and confidence improved and he was happy with his NCEA results. That is all I wanted from the tuition.”

Alex’s mother, January 2016
Year 13, Calculus

“Thank you for all your support & help for Mikayla throughout the past 2 years, James was the most amazing Maths tutor & did wonders with Mikayla, I couldn’t speak more highly of your tutoring company and of James. And feel very blessed to have had the chance to discover who you were as it helped so, so, so much. Thanks again for everything.”

Mikayla’s mother Leeann, November 2015
Year 12, English & Mathematics

“Tuition with AHeadStart helped me in so many ways especially in the areas I knew I needed help in. Coming from being home schooled to doing NCEA Level 1 and Level 2 was a whole new experience for me. I had never sat major exams before or any internals. When I started I discovered I was quite behind so we started to look into tutoring lessons. Not only did Melanie help us through every stage, she allowed me to choose tutors that I felt comfortable with. My first year of tutoring was amazing, the tutors were so helpful and gave me the skills I needed for English and Mathematics (internals and externals).”

Mikayla, January 2016
Year 12, English & Mathematics

"Just wanted to say that Daniel has been excellent for Tom, and that Tom also appreciates his “style”! They seem to have an excellent rapport going, and while Daniel is certainly a bit introverted, they are communicating very well."

Tom’s father Steve, May 2013
Year 13, Calculus

"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

“Hi Melanie just wanted to let u know Holly did well at NCEA thanks to you. Acids bases excellence, genetics merit, mechanics achieved. Thanks for all your help, we will be in touch re your as needed this year."

Holly’s mother Erica, January 2013
Year 11, Science

"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

“Josh moved from stats to calc, he had a lot of catching up to do.
The tutoring gave him a better chance at his exams, he seemed more confident about his ability.”

Josh’s father Russell, January 2016
Year 13, Calculus

"Overview an excellent relaxed approach which should boost any student's learning. Thankyou for coming to our house and discussing this material with her ... see you next year. "

Amuri’s mother Jenny, December 2009
Year 12, Level 2 Physics

"[My daughter] was advised not to attempt Chem or Stats as her level 2 results were not good enough. She passed all of her internals with some merit passes. She has worked very hard with the tuition showing her how to maximise her efforts."

Mother of student December 2009
Year 13, Level 3 Chemistry & Statistics

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.