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.

“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 day I spoke to Melanie and set up tutoring for my daughter for Maths and English was the best decision we had made. Even though going through a tutoring service costs, it truly was worth every cent we paid.

We saw our daughter go from struggling and frustrated to confidently understanding what she was doing which in return achieved her passing Level 1 and Level 2 with absolute ease. Not only did she pass with more than enough credits she passed English both years with a Merit Endorsement.

Our aim was for our daughter to pass and achieve marks that she would be proud of and with the help of the amazing tutors that she had she accomplished all that she wanted to. Thank you AHeadStart for all of the services you offer, I would highly recommend this service to anyone!!”

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

“George's first tutorial went great thank you very much! Joe was great. George really enjoyed it and even said it was fun!! James and I are very excited to know that George is getting such great help.”

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

"[Adam] is saying it went really well. Certainly he came home very upbeat. I think he’ll get a lot from it. He says Jack was really good, understanding what he wants to learn, knowledgeable and easy to get along with.

All good!"

Adam's mother Helen, May 2025
Year 10, Mathematics & Physics

“Melanie showed me how to make better study notes and work more efficiently and how to answer questions.
Before tutoring I would not have passed my exam, I was struggling so much with the understanding of the subject. My tutor broke down the subject into small bits and we worked on them until I understood each bit and she made sure I could do the question on my own.
AHeadStart have helped me heaps with chemistry without them I would not have been able to be on the road to completing my degree.”

Olivia, January 2016
Human Nutrition, Chemistry

“The tuition helped Ellen pass all the Chemistry Papers at Level 3 that she sat. She learnt to understand the chemistry concepts that were proving difficult for her. [She enjoyed the] one on one time to fully understand the chemistry that she wasn't grasping in a full classroom situation and the opportunity to have her questions answered in a manner that she understood. She improved her results from the mock exams until the final exams.”

Ellen’s mother, January 2016
Year 13, Chemistry

"My goal was to pass. We met and went through the questions one by one. It was such an exhausting lesson. But it was really worth it, because I really couldn't believe it when I learnt that my overall mark was C+ "a clear pass". So I got in contact with AHeadStart, and Melanie "my tutor" had helped me to acquire these maths basics, which by the way were very essential for other subjects too."

Khalid, December 2008
Level 100 Statistics

“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

 

“By the way, feedback from Eveane is that these sessions are awesome. Even after only the first one things were making more sense to her and she has said they've helped hugely. Connor is very good and very patient with her. I only wish I had gotten onto these sooner!

Thanks so much, Suz.”

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

“Alex is benefitting from the tutorials greatly – achieving positive results moving forward which is awesome.”

Alexandra’s mother Karen, July 2016
Year 13, Physics

“Thanks Melanie,

We are very happy with Georgia’s progress. Tim is a credit to your company - polite, prompt and Georgia says she is learning heaps, so thank you.

Kind regards, Claire”

Georgia’s mother Claire, November 2016
Year 12, Mathematics & Physics

“We are extremely grateful to Melanie for all of the help she gave our daughter. We believe she would not have achieved her excellent results without Melanie's great tutoring.”

Skye’s mother Susanne, January 2014
Year 13, Biology & Calculus

"Thank you for teaching me this year. I have become much more confident in Maths and have even begun to enjoy it!"

Ellen, November 2010
Year 10, Mathematics

“Morning, Many thanks for Maddi’s progress report– Just wanted to say how pleased we are with the progress Maddi is making and we believe a lot of this can be contributed to Jackson’s fantastic way of teaching Maddi…
Kind regards, Sue”


Maddi’s mother Sue, April 2016
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

 

“Hi Melanie 

Brenna really enjoyed her first lesson her words were ‘I want to cry as I have spent 1 hour with Aira and learnt something I have being trying to get for a month in class'.

She really loved it, even did all her homework last night. Yay.

Thanks so much. Gaylene”

Brenna’s mother Gaylene, August 2016
Year 12, Mathematics

"Hi Melanie,

Thanks so much for this.

Thank you to Jennifer for being a great tutor. Tave really enjoyed her method of teaching and found her super helpful.

Yes, last exam this week!!!!

Kind regards,
Renita"

Tave's mother Renita, November 2024
Year 12, Biology & Chemistry

"Thank you so much for all your help with Luke & Bex over the past years. We really appreciate all the time and effort you have put into teaching them, you were a God send, honestly!"

Luke’s & Bex’s parents Peter & Nancy, November 2014
Year 13, Biology, Chemistry & Statistics

“Hi Melanie,

Tutoring is going really well - Mitchell says he finally understands things, he thinks Jeremy is great. Thank you so much - a relief for us.”

Mitchell’s mother Amanda, November 2016
Year 12, Physics

"Melanie had exactly the right approach to engage Elsie about Maths. We all enjoyed Wednesday nights - and Elsie made real progress. Her confidence and enjoyment of the subject improved and she got improved test results - having struggled to "get" maths all the way through High School."

Elsie’s mother Mary-Anne, December 2009
Year 12, Level 2 Mathematics

“Thanks Melanie, Jedd has done very well with English this year and has enjoyed his tutoring with Blake and English at school - which is a huge achievement!

We are keen for Jedd to have English tutoring again next year so please put him on your list of students who want tutoring.”

Jedd’s mother Stephanie, November 2015
Year 10, English

"Eve was very happy with how it went thanks.
Isabella was great to deal with from my side too.
Thanks for organising."

Eve's mother Anna, August 2025
Year 10 English, Mathematics and Science

"Thank you very much for tutoring me the last few terms. It has helped me a lot."

Bec, November 2009
Year 13, Level 3 Biology

“Thanks Melanie. Mo has been a wonderful tutor to Dalton and Dalton has really come to like him. I have already asked Mo if he is still tutoring next year to assist Dalton again. Wishing you a happy Christmas and many thanks for all your help.”

Dalton’s mother Brigitte, November 2016
Year 11, Mathematics

"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

"Can I also add my thanks for all your efforts and positive reinforcement for Briar over the past two years. I am just so pleased that Briar has put in the hard yards, maintained her effort even when she thought she was not getting ahead, and enjoyed the success of her efforts. It speaks volumes for your approach to tutoring and I am so pleased that we found you on the web and decided to work with you."

Briar’s mother Cathie, December 2009
Year 13, Level 3 Biology

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.