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.

"It was so great. He's the right teacher for her :) thank you so much. "

Eva-Rose's mother Emily, March 2025
Year 11, Commerce, Mathematics & Science

"Tutoring for Jaslyn is going very well and it’s a great fit.
I can see Jaslyn's confidence growing!"

Jaslyn's mother Trish, November 2024
Year 12, Physics

"Thank you for your message. I believe it went well. He was proud of his folder and his writing page, and he has some homework to complete, which is a great incentive for him.

I will try not to push him too much and instead leave him with the responsibility of completing his tasks independently.Unfortunately, schoolwork is not something he is naturally very interested in, so having someone else giving him tasks and guidance might be the right motivation for Mattia.

Naomi seems like a lovely and confident girl, and I am sure she will support him well in his journey of improvement."

Mattia's mother Giuliana, May 2026
Year 7, English

"I understand all of the subjects that I was struggling in alot better like algebra especially and number especially as we went through what I wasn't getting at a good pace so I could grasp it better. I also understand NCEA maths a bit better also as Mel explained to me what I generally needed in order to pass, which was good as I could then aim for getting those right. Getting an understanding in all if this helped me feel more confident in all areas of my maths not just the subjects that I was struggling in. I was in a relaxed environment which helps me learn better. Mel was also very patient with the things I didn't get."

Alice Cameron, December 2008
Year 12, Level 2 Mathematics

"Hey Mel, just thought I’d tell you I ended up getting a merit in human evolution and achieved in gene expression and patterns of evolution :) thank you so much for all last year’s help. Hope you have a great year!"

Sarah, January 2012
Year 13, Biology

“Tried Kip McGrath at intermediate age. 1 on 1 far better and with tutors who have recently completed NCEA. Age difference small which for a teenage boy meant good rapport with tutor.”

Jayden’s mother Lisa, January 2016
Year 12, Mathematics

“Ross found the [Calculus] exam very difficult and he said everyone felt the same. He flew through differentiation but he said the rest was very tough. Nonetheless he believes he has passed. Hope so!!

Thanks to Max for all his help and patience with Ross throughout this year. Ross really enjoyed working with Max.”

Ross’ mother Jeanie, November 2015
Year 13, Calculus

“Thank you Melanie. The tuition has given Sarah a lot of confidence and the service was excellent, reliable etc. Sarah was well suited to Liam's style of help. We understand he is overseas next year but we would appreciate it if you could think who else in your team has a style similar to Liam for next year.”

Sarah’s mother Joanna, November 2015
Year 12, Chemistry

"Alexander was thrilled with his session with Bailey.  Solved a lot of riddles!"

Alexander's mother Cecilia, April 2025
Year 13, Calculus

“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

“Hey they went really well thanks. I got merit in all my papers and one E in the reactivity chem paper. So overall I got merit endorsed in Chemistry, Physics, Calculus and English. Definitely improved because of tutoring. Thank you so much :)”

Thea to Marwah, January 2017
Year 12,
Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics

"Mathew is enjoying the sessions, claiming he has learnt more in 2 hours with Molly than he has learnt in 2 years with his teacher who he has had for years 10 and 11."

Mathew’s mother Ellie, October 2012
Year 11, Level 1 Mathematics

"Olivia actually really enjoyed it. She has never had tutoring before. She has been taking French since yr 9 so that was something they had in common.
She was worried about arriving fatigued as she had been working hard on a physics internal last night. School and defensive driving course today before tutoring.
But she left feeling energised as she felt she was understanding the explanations Joran was giving.
She found out he also tutors stats which she is also taking. [It 's great] they able to cover different subjects if she gets to a point that she is more confident with physics."

Olivia's mother Fiona, October 2024
Year 13, Physics

“We are very happy with [Henry’s tuition] so far. Henry is keen and seems to be completing the work that is set for him by Aaron with no fuss or extra reminders. This is HUGE for Henry.”

Henry’s mother Stephanie, August 2015
Year 11, English

"Great news I past my final Web assignment 78%. I quickly texted Joran with the news.
I have completed the 6th module passing intermediate computer course L3.

Megan was very helpful discussing article critique and referencing. We will meet same time going over referencing.
The Canterbury Uni library was interesting and I even had a look at the bookstore. "

Karen, July 2025
Postgrad Digital Technology, then Research

“My aim was to better my external scores and pass all of the papers in physics. Tutoring meant that I did a lot better in my externals than I thought I would- I thought I wouldn't pass any of them, but I passed all of them and got a merit in mechanics (the one I found hardest). It helped me recall information quicker and better in my exam and by having a tutor who knew the system I was able to learn little tricks to make questions easier to answer.”

Emma, January 2016
Year 13, Physics

"Thanks for everything - exams went well and just await results in January. Jackson was delightful and has the makings of a great teacher / communicator of science - a young man going places!"

Josie’s mother Juliet, November 2014
Year 12, Chemistry & Physics

“[Tuition] allowed me to learn the different external topics again in my own pace and go through and focus on the concepts that needed more work which could not have be done in a classroom environment.
Melanie was able to clearly explain chemistry concepts so that it was easy to understand which meant that I was able to apply the newly learnt knowledge and concepts in the external.”

Amanda, January 2016
Year 13, Chemistry

"Matthew is loving his time with Daniel and even told me last night that he now really enjoys maths!!! That is a huge compliment coming from Matthew. Met Daniel last week and he is a delight and a real credit to you."

Matthew’s mother Heather, February 2012
Year 11, Level 1 Mathematics

"Louie has really helped Ihaia with his maths, reading and writing. Ihaia doesn't say much in general but he has mentioned that Louie just makes things so much easier to understand. Louie is very professional and always punctual and communicative. It has been great to have him as a tutor for Ihaia and it has really helped his confidence with his school work. Please thank Louie, we wish him all the best."

Ihaia's mother Rachael, June 2026
Year 8, English & Mathematics

“Lucie was struggling with minimal help at school, and would have got achieved at best with chem, but after tutoring got merit.
Lucie had a huge amount of extracurricular responsibility, and missed a lot of class time. Caitlin was very clear on re capping and making sure Lucie was absolutely certain in her answers."

Lucie’s mother Deb, January 2014
Year 13, Chemistry

“Hi Melanie,

I thought that it was very easy to get along with Lauren, we started doing a bit with essay structure and it was easy to understand because she would go over each step specifically. I think she knows what I want to learn out of these tutor lessons and how she can help me using different methods and small steps to get through it. She seems very knowledgeable so I think it will be good for me to learn of her.

Kind Regards, Alida.”

Alida, August 2016
Year 11, 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

“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

“Tuition for my daughter helped her so much, it was the best decision we made for her in helping her achieve her goals.

Going from home-schooling to suddenly gaining credits for Level 1 and Level 2 was hard, the work load increased and gave her quite the shock. She was very determined though and with the help of her tutors she not only went from struggling in English and Maths but to succeeding in every internal and external she did.

Her tutors were just amazing, they helped her have confidence in what they taught her but most of all they supported her every step of the way giving her an understanding and skills to work through her work.

Was worth every cent especially when we saw for ourselves how much she was improving and how she would go from sitting there confused, asking us as parents for help to understand, to sitting there confidently working through her work knowing what she was doing. She went from getting 'achieved' to 'merit's and for English all 'excellences' for the past two years.

I also found tuition around exam times fantastic, helping her go over all the past exams helped her so much and I believe by doing so it helped her understand what was expected of her in her exams.”

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