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.

"Hey Melanie :) thanks for your text earlier! Kealan really enjoyed his tutorial with Ryan…I think they are a good match! I thought that Ryan had a nice approachable manner about him & Kealan was very relaxed & open with him :) So all in all…a great start! Kealan is very amped about the whole thing…so I’m stoked!! Thanks Melanie :)."

Kealan’s mother Donna, May 2013
Year 8, Mathematics

"Hi Melanie, just thought I’d let you know how I went. I passed my exam which is great so I get to continue onto biochem now. Thank you so much for all your help!"

Olivia, July 2015
Human Nutrition, Chemistry

"Just want to let you know Jed really enjoyed his tutorials with Max and believes they have made a real difference to his exam efforts, particularly in re-igniting belief in his science ability!
His motivation and attitude has improved and we are hopeful this will carry through into Yr 12.
Please pass our thanks onto Max and am sure we will be in touch next year."

Jed’s mother Lesley, November 2014
Year 11, Science

"Maya came back pleased from her tutorial with Alicia.
Though Maya was a bit apprehensive going, Alicia made her feel comfortable. Alicia's explanations were clear, and the help provided was non judgemental. 
So thank you for accomodating Maya's busy schedule."

Maya's father Jean, August 2026
Year 13 Physics

"Just wanted to say a big thank you to Laura for all her help with Ashleigh. She has finished all her English assignments and achieved with Merit. Ashleigh is thrilled as she was convinced she would fail English this year."

Ashleigh’s mother Jacqui, September 2013
Year 12 English

"Louie has really helped Ihaia with his maths, reading and writing. Ihaia doesn't say much in general but he has mentioned that Louie just makes things so much easier to understand. Louie is very professional and always punctual and communicative. It has been great to have him as a tutor for Ihaia and it has really helped his confidence with his school work. Please thank Louie, we wish him all the best."

Ihaia's mother Rachael, June 2026
Year 8, English & Mathematics

“Hannah achieved NCEA Level 3 with merit and is attending Canterbury University this year - she enjoyed her tutoring with Robert and although she became disengaged towards the end of the year, that was of her doing and her results in Statistics and Biology are testament to her having received tutoring.”

Hannah’s mother Louisa, February 2015
Year 13, Biology & Statistics

“I have been really impressed with the turnaround Jackson has achieved with Henry this year. He has done a fantastic job which I appreciate so very much. I hope that Jackson will be available again next year and Henry can continue tutorials with him.

I am very grateful for the service you provide as it has made a big difference for both Emma & Henry.”

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

“I am very pleased with Mathew’s progress and I know he feels the same. Aaron has definitely changed Mathew’s attitude towards English. I know Mathew feels more confident heading towards exam time with the confidence he has gained with Aaron. Thank you so much to Aaron.”

Mathew’s mother Andrea, October 2015
Year 11, English

"I just received an email congratulating me on being successful in my exam! SO I PASSED AND GOT ACCEPTED!!
Thank you so much for your time and effort. I will definitely refer people onto you that need help with their studies. My road to education don’t stop here so I may be coming to see you again. Once again thank you!"

Cole Davids, October 2009
Air New Zealand Entrance Test

“River said he found the Stats tutoring extremely helpful. He was really buoyed when he got home. He's looking forward to the next five sessions.”

River’s mother Yvonne, September 2015
Year 13, Statistics

“Hello Melanie,

Thanks to you & Amelia for all your help with Neve. Her Chemistry & Physics have improved dramatically! Neve walked into the exam on Monday with confidence and is proud of her achievements and hard work. She really enjoyed going to tutoring with Amelia as she made it easy to understand and helped build her confidence in the subject.

Neve's looking at Year 12 Biology next year so will be keen to continue with AHeadStart in the new year.

Thanks again.

Cheers Shirene :)”

Neve’s mother Shirene, November 2016
Year 11, Science

“Thanks again to Max for his wonderful tutoring. Alex was excellence endorsed for stats. Please book him in again for this year. I think it would be very worthwhile to have his guidance.”

Alex’s mother Sandra, January 2015
Year 12, Mathematics

"Spike was very happy to show me what had been covered, thought Blake was GREAT and is positive and, as yet to see motivated work outcome but I’m sure this will happen as he will not want to let Blake down. Particularly liked the idea of a heads up on future NCEA exam info. All good thank you."

Spike’s mother Di, October 2013
Year 11 English

"Charlotte found her first lesson with Louie invaluable to help get her on the right path. Please thank him, we so appreciate the support for her.
She is looking forward to the next session on Tuesday."

Charlotte's mother Jayne, March 2026
1st Year Law

“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

"Hey Mel, just thought I’d tell you I ended up getting a merit in human evolution and achieved in gene expression and patterns of evolution :) thank you so much for all last year’s help. Hope you have a great year!"

Sarah, January 2012
Year 13, Biology

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

Woooppp, thank-you for your help!

Anna.”

Anna, June 2016
Year 13, Biology

"Thanks for checking in. Ava was very happy with Emma’s tutoring. She was impressed and thinks the way Emma tutors will really work well for her."

Ava's father Blair, August 2024
Year 13, Chemistry

"Thank you for your report. I'm really pleased with Brits attitude to her tutoring. She's happy to come along and her latest results were a credit to your help and her focus on making the most of her tutoring."

Brittany’s mother Justine, March 2014
Year 11, Mathematics

“Maths and English were two topics she greatly struggled with. By the end of Level 1 and Level 2 she was achieving in ways that not only shocked us but also her teachers. The improvement was mind blowing.

In Maths it was all new work to her and she did not understand it at all, her tutor was honestly the best tutor we had ever met, he not only taught her skills to understand Maths but he got her from basic maths to achieving mainly merits throughout the two years. For English her first internal she went from getting achieved to suddenly getting excellences for every internal she ever did. And passed all of her exams.”

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

“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

“[Tuition] allowed me to learn the different external topics again in my own pace and go through and focus on the concepts that needed more work which could not have be done in a classroom environment.
Melanie was able to clearly explain chemistry concepts so that it was easy to understand which meant that I was able to apply the newly learnt knowledge and concepts in the external.”

Amanda, January 2016
Year 13, Chemistry

“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

"Thanks for the report. Ayrton struggled with all subjects at primary & intermediate school, and he has never had any confidence in his ability. Now with the help of both Ezra & Alex he is starting to realise he can do well and he is enjoying it so much more particularly the maths. Ayrton is now in a pre Cambridge Maths class and CBHS are getting them all to do some of the NCEA1 maths exam at the end of the year."

Ayrton’s mother Anna, July 2011
Year 10, Level 1 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.