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.

"[I] have asked Gemma how her tutorial was and she said their session was good. They thought Helena was very smart (!) and she was able to help them understand their class work. All good for next Monday again."

Gemma’s mother Kathy, August 2014
Year 10, Mathematics

""I just wanted to thank you for hooking us up with such a fantastic tutor for Tom. Megan has been wonderful!

Kindest regards and a Merry Christmas!"

Tom 's mother Heidi, December 2025
Year 9 English

“Hi Melanie

Harry said the tutorial with Hayden was really really good. He said Hayden is was clear and kept moving (didn't waste time on stuff Harry knew) but made sure he understood before moving on.

Thanks so much Melanie - I felt the stress draining away after Harry told me the above about Hayden. It makes such a huge difference when I can be confident Harry has such great help to pass his exams. I am so impressed with how you run AHeadStart, so organised and on to it. I hope you are getting lots of students - I certainly have told quite a few people now.

Thanks and kind regards

Judith.”

Harry’s mother Judith, May 2016
Year 12, Chemistry & Physics

"Thank you Melanie. The sessions have been invaluable in helping her gain confidence. 
Regards, Rhian"

Miriam's mother Rhian, October 2025
Year 11 Cambridge Mathematics

“Trent was very happy with both tutors. He told me he learnt more about economics in 1 hour than half a year.”

Trent’s father Chris, September 2016
Year 11, Economics, English, Mathematics & Science

"Thank you so much for everything this year. 

Emma has been an amazing help for Neve throughout the year. Patient and engaging and excellent and breaking everything down for her. Her results are really great across her subjects and physics and maths teachers have noted a big improvement in her test performance."

Neve's mother Mairin, November 2025
Year 12 Mathematics & Physics

“Hi Melanie just wanted to let u know Holly did well at NCEA thanks to you. Acids bases excellence, genetics merit, mechanics achieved. Thanks for all your help, we will be in touch re your as needed this year."

Holly’s mother Erica, January 2013
Year 11, Science

“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

"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

"We understand Louie is available again next year, so we’ll be in touch when the new school year commences in the new year.
We really appreciate Louie’s help throughout the year."

Hugo's mother Ali, November 2024
Year 11, Economics, English & History

“Thoroughly professional company, really fantastic tuition and we would very highly recommend AHeadStart. The best thing was that my daughter gained confidence in physics and seriously reduced her anxiety levels, which was a huge plus in a stressful Year 13.
We're glad that we found your company, we thought you were fantastic!”

Gretchen’s mother Edie, January 2016
Year 13, Physics

“Alex has achieved a greater understanding of Physics thanks to working with Emma. It has taken her from not achieving in Term One to full internal Excellence results for the balance of the year. So please pass onto Emma our thanks for working with Alex throughout most of 2016. Picking Physics up for the first time in year 13 was a challenge.

Kind regards, Karen”

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

“Hello Melanie,

Thank you for your email and for the great tutorials you provide. I have improved a lot in the sciences because the extra help I received over the years. I had very excellent tutors, it was worth the price and I am happy I found AHeadStart.

Once again thank you!”

Ariam, January 2016
Year 13, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics

"Hi Melanie, just wanted to let you know that I passed my Defence Force testing. I'm really happy with how it went and just wanted to say a massive thank you for all your help and support throughout the process. I really appreciated all the time and effort you put into helping me prepare for it. Couldn't have asked for anyone better to help me through it, so thank you again."

Luca, August 2026
NZ Defence Force

"Olivia is happy with her English tutorials and very happy with her “merit” Speech internal result, as she has usually had “achieved” for speeches before now."

Olivia’s mother Sue, May 2015
Year 11, Level 1 English

“We have been very impressed with the tutorial service you are providing. Anna has been wonderful teacher of Physics.”

Emma’s mother Elizabeth, November 2015
Year 13, Physics

“Thanks Mel,

The only feedback I have is that Josh told me yesterday “if Max tutored me every day I would be a genius!”

Cheers, Cate.”

Josh’s mother Cate, June 2016
Year 13, Calculus

“Jade was rapt with her first lesson with Amelia, thanks soooo much.”

Jade’s mother Sherie, September 2015
Year 11, Mathematics

"Thanks for all the time you have spent with Nikki over the past few months. Nikki has so much more confidence now. Thanks for making such a huge difference."

Nikki’s mother Sharon, November 2010
Year 11, Chemistry & Physics

“Amelia did a great job, and Oscar felt confident that he has passed Science.  Whether he quite makes merit remains to be seen, but without AHeadStart and Amelia, he certainly would have struggled.

Best wishes, David”

Oscar’s grandfather David, December 2016
Year 11, Science

“Hello Melanie,

Thanks to you & Amelia for all your help with Neve. Her Chemistry & Physics have improved dramatically! Neve walked into the exam on Monday with confidence and is proud of her achievements and hard work. She really enjoyed going to tutoring with Amelia as she made it easy to understand and helped build her confidence in the subject.

Neve's looking at Year 12 Biology next year so will be keen to continue with AHeadStart in the new year.

Thanks again.

Cheers Shirene :)”

Neve’s mother Shirene, November 2016
Year 11, Science

"Thanks for checking in, Merryn said it went really well and that Esme was really nice, she was nervous about the whole process and Esme made it stress free and relaxed which will really help Merryn to focus.
Thank you!"

Merryn's mother Sarah, September 2026
Pre-Health Chemistry

"Thanks for the tutoring, it was much appreciated and most helpful."

Tom Busler, November 2007
Year 13, Level 3 Calculus

“Hi Melanie… Thank you for this report. Excellent feedback from Anna, she is doing just great work with our Sarah, they get along really well. Anna’s ability to motivate Sarah is fabulous!

Best regards Bev”

Sarah’s mother Bev, February 2016
Year 11, Mathematics

"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

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.