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.

"My tutor was very helpful and went the extra mile by giving [me] lots of exam papers. I passed all my unit standards and internals - the ones I failed before I started tutoring. It was nice how everything was taught step by step. I had more understanding and wasn't rushed. Thanks."

Nastassja Schoeman, December 2008

Year 13, Level 3 Calculus

“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

"Mikayla absolutely adored Laura and James, they were both so amazing and helped her so much. I know they really had to work hard in getting Mikayla up to scratch and without their help she would not have been able to get through this year, so I am incredibly grateful for all their hard work and for your service that you offer!"

Mikayla’s mother Leeann, November 2014
Year 11, English & Mathematics

“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


 

"[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

“We are very happy with Claudia’s lessons and that her test results in class have improved considerably, with her end of year report and conversations with her science teacher supporting her growth in this subject.  Claudia’s confidence has grown heaps! 

Claudia is a quiet student who struggles to ask for help when she needs it, so the one on one lessons have been amazing for her.  Marwah is fantastic and Claudia just loves her, which makes her lessons a delight rather than a chore. 

Thank you for our short time with you last year and we really look forward to 2014 with AHeadStart.”

Claudia’s mother Trish, January 2014
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

"Ariana had a great 1st session tonight with Stuti and was very pleased and impressed with her tutoring skills as well."

Ariana's mother Sam March 2025
Year 13, Physics & Statistics

"We have been so impressed with tutoring. Lucy is amazing with Sophia. We are so happy with how everything is going."

Sophia's mother Amanda, June 2026
Year 12, Biology, Chemistry & Physics

“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

“Josh did enjoy and found the tutorials very helpful from Blake, Max and Hugh.  Next year he will decide which scholarship subjects to take.  He will be wanting assistance with tutorials in 2016 and I will get in touch with you with his requirements as soon as I can.”

Josh’s mother Cate, December 2015
Year 12, Level 2 Accounting, Economics, English & Mathematics

"Thanks heaps for all the great work you have done with Bryony over the last 3 years. She has really enjoyed working with you, and you can certainly take credit for her results so far. I think you have a great way of relating to her, and getting the best from her in a non-threatening way. I wish you well for the future."

Bryony’s mother Paula, December 2012
Year 13, Level 3 Chemistry, Physics & Statistics

“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

"Rory was given a thorough assessment of the gaps he had in his NCEA subjects after our arrival from Australia in August. Tuition from AHeadStart allowed him to quickly catch up and give him the tools to do well in NCEA science and maths."

Rory’s mother Lee, December 2009
Year 11, Level 1 Science & Mathematics

"Please thank Rupert for all his help.  I believe Luke is alot more confident going into his exams than he was.  Crossing everything that he passes his exams.  
Thanks for supporting Luke and helping us out with tutoring. I'll highly recommend your business. 
Many thanks!"

Luke's mother Kendra, August 2026
Year 13 Calculus & Physics

"We have loved having Ruby, she was a great fit for Annabel.  Can we please book someone like her for 2025."

Annabel's mother Leanne, November 2024
Year 12, Mathematics

"There are many things I understand better due to tuition. Firstly and most importantly, I found the most improvement in my electronics and magnetism test compared to the section of electronics and magnetism in the end of year exam (I got full marks in that section compared to the 65% I got in the unit test). I believe I struggled with it when I did the unit test but I found it far easier in the exam due to the tuition lessons I had been taking. Secondly I remember the huge improvement in geology. Geology was probably one of my weakest science subjects but due to tuition I actually started to enjoy it. I think that is because I actually didn't understand it properly before I started tuition. I learnt that you can really dislike a subject because you simply don't understand it but on the contrary, once you understand the principles, it could be very enjoyable. I also got good marks for that in the end of year exam."

Shalini, December 2008
Year 10, Mathematics & Science

“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

“To our favourite person…
We’ve really appreciated the last few years, couldn’t have done it without you! Tutorials were always a laugh and we’re going to miss you heaps! Whenever we come back to Chch we hope to see you in that little car zooming around. Love from Ashleigh and Cassie”

Ashleigh & Cassie, November 2014
Year 13, Chemistry

“Yes I feel like I'm getting my head around it.
Your help has been so great. Thank you. Such a relief.”

Lisa, January 2016
Graduate Diploma in Business, Mathematics

“Hey Melanie, just got my results and I got 560 when I only needed to get 540!! Thanks heaps for the tutoring sessions. I know it was brief but it really helped!”

Sorren, December 2012
SAT College Admission Exam

"Somin is very happy with Joe and she says he is very good at teaching the way she needs to learn. This is much better for Somin than the other 2 tutors we had [elsewhere], who were too generally focused, but not on what she needed."

Somin’s guardian Vicki, August 2013
Year 11,
Accounting, Mathematics & Science

“Molly said Jacob was great. He was knowledgeable and really clear when explaining things. She found the session very worthwhile.”

Molly’s mother Pip, June 2015
Year 13, Physics

“Thanks Melanie. Jack found Liam incredibly helpful. He got an excellence for the last internal so fingers crossed today. Jack also said his physics exam went well.”

Jack’s mother Tracey, November 2015
Year 12, Chemistry & Physics

"It is great to see Beau enjoying Accounting now.  He has even applied to take the subject again next year."

Beau's mother Kelly, July 2025
Year 11 Accounting

"My son did not achieve in the first school topic test for physical science. After getting tuition from Melanie all his other topic tests were Merits and Excellences and his end of the year test for Year 11 was Merits and Excellences. Thank you very much Melanie. "

Supun’s father Rohana, December 2009
Year 11, Level 1 Chemistry & 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.