“We have been very pleased with the effort Blake and Lethan have put in for Matt. Both he, Pete and I appreciate their efforts very much.”
Matt’s mother Cate, December 2015
Year 13, Level 3 English, Geography, History
"We believe that the programme has allowed Saphron to gain confidence in Maths, she now feels she has the ability to solve problems and understand the breakdown involved in finding solutions. She is starting to excel in the Classroom environment whereas before she would normally sit back and become somewhat lost. Well done Melanie you have an ability to made Saphron comfortable, which has meant that she now has a desire to continue learning Maths."
Saphron’s father Mark, December 2008
Year 7, Mathematics
"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
"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
“[Tuition] helped [my son] identify what was important and focus on areas of weakness. He is really committed to sport and so felt that it made really effective use of his study time rather than scrambling through. He loved that it was one on one.”
Tom’s mother Kim, January 2016
Year 11, Science
“I've been a student of AHeadStart for the past 4 years. During this time, I have seen a great improvement in my grades as well as my fundamental knowledge in the subjects that I studied. I would definitely recommend AHeadStart as a tuition option, as the tutors are great and there are many resources and workshops available to students.”
Ellen, January 2014
Year 13, Level 3 Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics
"As a result of having tutoring I feel I understand every topic a lot better. Before I started tutoring I thought I understood the topic but test results said a different story. After having tuition I found I had a better understanding of the topics in general and most of the time I understood what the question was asking.
I thought that Melanie was very helpful in explaining easy ways to understand what the question meant. In Solving Probability problems during the year my report was not achieving at the end of the year it changed to Achieving well my results changed from a not achieved to a merit. Understanding the language they used in Probability was my biggest problem I feel tutoring really helped this subject improve as I grasped what they were really trying to ask.
In the subject Applying Probability Distributions my results changed from not achieving to a merit. This is because I learnt when to apply binomial or Poisson or normal distributions. I learned the difference between these three distributions and it helped improve my test results.
In the topic Using Confidence intervals my results changed from not achieved to an achieved but I feel that the practice and revision I did between the last school results and the final NCEA exam that hopefully my results are higher than that. I feel more confident with this topic now.
Finally with the topic solving equation I could only ever do the simultaneous equations and not the graph part. I use to avoid this paper and did not do it in the school practice exam. So I do not have any results to show how I have improved but I feel with the lessons I have received that I can now answer all questions in this topic and I find it the most enjoyable and the easiest topic to do out of all of them."
Kate McDonald, December 2008
Year 13, Level 3 Statistics
“My ability to handle questions in the assignment has improved along with my confidence and skills using the calculator. I have developed skills in translating word problems in numbers and formulas.”
Lisa, January 2016
Graduate Diploma in Business, Mathematics
"Melanie fitted my daughter in an already packed schedule of hers. She went the extra mile to make sure she understood every concept in calculus. The result of her effective approach was a very confident student. My daughter just went from strength to strength, passed her internal exams, feels confident about success in the end of year exams and is absolutely motivated. Thank you, Melanie!"
Nastassja’s mother Henriette, December 2008
Year 13, Level 3 Calculus
“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
"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
"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
“We assessed AHeadStart and Kip McGrath. My son had a definite preference for AHeadStart as it was much more 'slick' and professional with younger tutors.”
Peter’s mother, January 2016
Year 9, Mathematics & Science
"Melanie was wonderful in her availability to cater for Danielle at short notice. Danielle was very certain that she was going to do poorly in her Physics exam prior to her lessons with Melanie. Melanie provided a method of formulas that would help Danielle answer questions. Melanie explained the subject in a way that suited Danielle. Danielle was very happy in the end."
Danielle's mother Lisa, December 2009
Year 12, Level 2 Physics
“Thank you for your kind wishes to Charlie. He is quietly confident for a good result! Our thanks to James also. We were very happy with the quality of his tuition.”
Charlie’s mother Margaret, November 2015
Year 13, Calculus
"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
"It went really well thank you, Isabella is lovely and the boys really enjoyed meeting her.
They both seemed to work along well with her, I guess it will take a couple of sessions to get into the groove but both were happy with how they spent their time with her.
Many thanks"
Will's and Ben's moher Sari, August 2025
Year 6&8 Mathematics
“Ben is very happy with James. James is teaching Ben stuff that Ben's teacher isn't teaching, which fills in the gaps for Ben. So we are all happy!”
Ben’s mother Sarah, March 2016
Year 12, Mathematics & Physics
“Bridget had really valued her sessions with Amelia and found them to be a great help. Amelia was very easy to work with."
Bridget’s mother Sarah, September 2015
Year 11, Chemistry, Physics & Mathematics
“Veronika enjoyed her first session with Helena, she thinks that Helena is a very knowledgeable and helpful tutor. Veronika is looking forward to her next session on Friday!”
Veronika’s mother Lana, March 2015
Year 12, Mathematics & Physics
“We have been very happy with how it all went. Sarah was very patient and related really well with Nicole. She went into NCEA exams quite confident which is something I didn't think I would see. Previous to the meeting Sarah she would stress out at thoughts of any test.
She has managed over 80 credits already without even relying on credits from her external exams and is really proud of herself. I know Sarah thought there was always so much to get through in a session and felt rushed but she did a great job and we really appreciated her help.
I have recommended your business to a couple of friends with students heading into exams next year and will be in contact."
Nicole’s mother Alison, November 2013
Year 11 English, Mathematics & Science