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.

"[Lulu] really enjoyed it and already feels its made a difference to her understanding of certain aspects of physics that she has been struggling to grasp.So thank you and thank Emma for me as well."

Lulu's father Muna, July 2024
Year 12, Physics

"I'd like to arrange some tutoring for Laura for this year. Tania and her worked well together last year, so if she's free that would be great.

Laura's grades from Year 12 were really good - Excellence Endorsement overall. Merits for the Maths papers she sat (one was only one point off an Excellence!), Excellences for the Physics papers, and Merits for the Chemistry papers.

So she just needs someone to keep her on track, and explain things when the teachers fail to explain in ways that she can understand."

Laura's mother Abbey, January 2026
Year 12 Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics

“Hello Melanie,

Thank you for your email and for the great tutorials you provide. I have improved a lot in the sciences because the extra help I received over the years. I had very excellent tutors, it was worth the price and I am happy I found AHeadStart.

Once again thank you!”

Ariam, January 2016
Year 13, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics

"Thanks very much for your support in finding a tutor for Rebecca. Rebecca is off to study Law and International Relations in Wellington next year and she is fortunate to have been granted a $10,000 excellence scholarship to attend. The success of which is in part due to the tutoring assistance she has received.

We have really appreciated the friendly yet professional way you run your business and Rebecca has found both her tutors to be very good. We were introduced to AHeadStart through word of mouth and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend AHeadStart to others."

Rebecca’s mother Noreen, November 2012
Year 13, Level 3 Calculus

"We have just finished a lesson with Alexandria and I wanted to email to say how excellent she was with Flo. She explained concepts really carefully and in a language that Flo could understand, she checked in with Flo's understanding regularly, stretched Flo's understanding and gave lovely praise. 

I feel like we have won the lottery!

Thank you!"

Flo's mother Colette, August 2025
Year 7 English 

"I was going to get in touch with you with feedback - she just loves it and thought Caroline was fantastic!! She was actually buzzing when she got into the car so thank you very much and please pass on a big thank you to Caroline."

Maddie's mother Vanessa, February 2025
Year 12, English

"Nye is loving both tutors. James, his physics/math one he is super impressed with apparently he uses a white board and Nye said it is great!
Daisy was giving him some awesome advice on uni as well so I really appreciate these amazingly clever young people! 
Thank you!"

Nye's mother Sara, April 2024
Year 13, English, History, Physics, Statistics

“Robson has found the tutoring immensely helpful and Brooke both incredibly talented and supportive.

We will happily be recommending your company to others and haven been grateful for the overall professionalism.

Kind regards, Heather”

Robson’s mother Heather, November 2016
Year 11, English & Science

“Thanks so much Melanie. Mae's tutorial with Emma was a huge success. She said she learnt heaps!”

Mae’s mother Truus, October 2015
Year 12, Chemistry

"Angus has received good results with AHeadStart and we as parents have really appreciated Melanie coming to his school for the tuition."

Angus’ mother Bridget, December 2009
Year 10 Mathematics & Science

“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

“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

“Hi Melanie. Just to let you know it went really well with Josh earlier this evening. Both Molly and Pippa said he knew what he was talking about (unlike their teacher!!0 and was really helpful.”

Molly’s mother Pip, September 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

"Wow Sophie was impressive! She was patient and engaging. She had a wealth of knowledge and fully prepared. Troy just beamed with confidence after sitting with her for only an hour. We are more than happy with continuing with Sophie, honestly I have no concerns with Troy passing English with her guidance. 
She’s just lovely."

Troy's mother Leanne, February 2025
Year 10, English

"Megan would be our first choice if we need a tutor again - she's awesome!"

Tom's mother Heidi, December 2024
Year 8, English

“My tutor was excellent, she really made me feel that I was in a safe and comfortable learning environment and motivated me to learn with her positive enthusiasm.”

Lisa, January 2016
Graduate Diploma in Business, Mathematics

"Hey Melanie I got excellence in level three with 63 e credits. Thanks for everything. Stats was really good with all e’s apart from confidence intervals but I am stoked. For everything else I got endorsed with merit. Overall it’s excellence though. Yay :)"

Shalini, January 2012
Year 13, Biology, Chemistry, Physics & Statistics

“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

“Leading up to the MCAT exam, Megan was still really confused and school was not offering anything in the way of tutorials. After 2 sessions with AHeadStart Megan felt she had enough understanding to pass the exam, and she actually achieved merit.”

Megan’s mother Donna, January 2014
Year 11, Level 1 Mathematics

“Our daughter was able to learn at her own pace and to clarify points that needed clarification. It was a positive one on one learning environment. Amelia was a positive role model.
Her tuition helped her gain confidence in her own ability which translated into improved test results. She went up a stanine level during the year.”

Olivia’s mother Kerry, January 2016
Year 7, Mathematics

“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

"Caitlyn has found [Yuxin's] teaching style and content to be excellent and she's more than happy with everything.  And the proof of the pudding is in her results - she's received an excellence in her mechanics assessment recently! 
The two of them are now looking at an electricity component of her physics. 
All is going well. Please let Yuxin know we are thrilled with his help and level of communication."

Caitlyn's mother Carole, July 2024
Year 12, Physics

“Just want to pass on some great news. Ben has passed a Maths Internal with Merit!!!! This is the first Merit he has received in Maths.

So we feel very satisfied that Tuition is good for Ben. He also is very happy with James and pleased that he swapped.”


Ben’s mother Sarah, April 2016
Year 12, Mathematics & 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.