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.

“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

“We would like to thank you and Jackson for the tuition provided over the last 2 years. You have provided a well organised, friendly and cost effective service and Jackson has been amazing with how well he works with Luke.

Regards, Glenda O'Neill”

Luke’s mother Glenda, October 2016
Year 13 Biology, Chemistry & Physics

“Hi Melanie! Just wanted to let you know I got merit in both Stats and Chem exams! Really happy and you helped me heaps so just wanted to say thanks. Now I’m off to Otago! Thanks again!”

Kim, January 2015
Year 13, Chemistry & Statistics

“Thanks Melanie and Lauren

Lauren has been a very positive feature of the year, and I would like to thank her for her support.

Regards, Frances”

Rebecca’s mother Frances, November 2016
Year 13, English & Classics

“Just finished [the Chemistry exam]. Feeling pretty confident. Was able to answer all the questions well. Evens “solids” ones. Couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you very much. Nick.”

Nick, November 2016
Year 12, Chemistry

"[Tuition] gave me a better understanding of things. John made everything clear unlike my teacher. He continuously went over the questions I found hard so that he knew i could do them well and always explained the process really simply....thank you so much for all your help, John really helped me to understand everything it was such a big help and really made me feel great when I got back tests that I actually passed."

Kate, December 2009
Year 12, Level 2 Maths & Physics

“Another of my children used another source of tuition and I prefer AHeadStart, more expensive but more professional and good options for locations of tutorials.”

Alex’s mother, January 2016
Year 13, Calculus

“Thanks so much for the tuition. His confidence has really improved and he now says he gets it, which is wonderful.”

Ben’s mother Sarah, November 2015
Year 11, 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

“Thanks to you and Sean for the excellent report. George is really enjoying maths now and recently got the top score in his class maths test and has been asked to join a maths extension group at school!  We are certain this is all thanks to Sean. He really looks forward to his tutorials with Sean each week which is great!”

George’s mother Justine, August 2015
Year 7, Mathematics

“Ethan was very impressed with the first tutorial and thought Liam’s approach was great so positive start.”

Ethan’s father Brett, June 2016
Year 12, L3 Calculus & Physics

"I would like to thank you very much, your professional service and Jackson's tuition have been fantastic, and has really made all the difference to Edie's stress levels (rather the lack of stress) and understanding of physics, and has been a huge boost to her confidence. She actually won the Excellence in Physics cup, and although she says that this is purely because she goes to a school where there is a very small class size and very little competition in the field, I have been assured by the staff that they don't give out the prize if there is not a deserving recipient! So please pass on our thanks to Jackson, as his tuition has been behind her success. That success and confidence has also contributed very much to her overall self-esteem, which is so important at this time of life!"

Edie’s mother Gretchen, November 2014
Year 13, Physics

"Anna was delightful! Madeline seemed relaxed with her, they appeared to be having fun whilst focusing and working hard together, so I am thrilled! There was lots of positive energy which Madeline thrives on as she is quite outgoing by nature. Thank you."

Madeline’s mother Louisa, July 2015
Year 10, Mathematics

"The time and money invested with AHeadStart this term has made a huge difference to my son's study skills, knowledge, understanding and confidence of the subjects he worked on with Melanie. We are sure he will gain hugely improved results from end of term 3 to NCEA externals, which would never had been possible without AHeadStart's help and have recommended them to others."

Jack’s mother Karen, December 2009
Year 11, Level 1 Physical Science

"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

“Thank you very much for the service you provide. Mo has been a great support for Jake when he needed it.”

Jake’s mother Lisa, November 2015
Year 13, Physics

"Thanks so much for the input you guys had in getting Ben more prepared for his exams. He is adamant that it helped so fingers crossed for January exam result time!!!!"

Ben’s mother Seanne, December 2014
Year 13, Calculus & Chemistry

"I just want to say thank you so much for your help throughout the year. I passed the [medical imaging] course. Also, I received a phone call yesterday from a lady from CPIT she phoned me to say that I have won a maths award, I can't believe it! I get it next week and I won $250 with the certificate. I won it because they picked students who came in knowing nothing about maths then coming out with top marks, my final maths exam score was 80% which I was so happy with. And my statistic and math methods was at 80% as well, I honestly thought I was going to fail!"

Lea, December 2015
Pre-Health, Mathematics & Biology

“Josh, like many young people, will absorb information in a one on one far more effectively than in a classroom so the tutoring focused and supported him as he started to realize that his results were important to his future. The Tutoring was effective in focusing him and helping him realize "he can do this!".”

Josh’s father Dave, January 2014
Year 13, Level 3 Calculus, Chemistry & Physics

"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

"Neisha was very pleased with how the lesson went.  She has had a great week at school this week and has done very well in two of her science tests.  The confidence this has given her already is incredible. Thank you very much."

Neisha’s mother Nicola, July 2014
Year 10, Mathematics & Science

“I can't thank Joe enough for all he has done with George! We are happy to see that he has regained his confidence with Joe's help. I am sure it has not been easy to get a 9 year old to want to do an hour’s maths work after school but he has done an amazing job at making it fun and interesting. I am sure George will miss seeing him on Thursdays.”

George’s mother Gwynneth, September 2015
Year 4, Mathematics

"It’s great to hear how Logan is going and it sounds like he’s making solid progress. 
Logan used to ask me for help relatively regularly with English. This year he very rarely asks me for assistance, which I guess is a sign that he’s becoming more confident and comfortable in his writing ability. It’s so nice to see this.
Please pass on a big thank you to Olivia. Logan is learning a lot from her and always comes home motivated and happy after his tutorials."

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

“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

"We have nothing but the highest praise for Hannah. She is an excellent teacher and Monny really likes her very much.

I have to say, I was a bit nervous signing up to have students for tutors. I just wasn't sure they would have the skills/ maturity to manage someone not much younger than them and our previous experience with tutors has been with ex-teachers. I couldn't have been more wrong!!!. We are delighted with both Hannah and John. Monny really likes the fact that they are close to her own age as she feels she can relate to them."

Monica’s mother Karen, October 2012
Year 12, Level 2 Chemistry & 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.