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.

“Emma said her tutorial with Jackson was fantastic yesterday. Being dyslexic and a very visual learner his style of teaching really suited her. She came home feeling really positive.”

Emma’s mother Catriona, September 2015
Year 12, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics

“Hi Melanie. Just to let you know it went really well with Josh earlier this evening. Both Molly and Pippa said he knew what he was talking about (unlike their teacher!!0 and was really helpful.”

Molly’s mother Pip, September 2014
Year 12, Mathematics

“Callum has found his sessions very helpful and we are grateful to have been able to get this organized at such a late stage of the year so - a big thank you to you! We have found your service great."

Callum’s mother Sara, November 2013
Year 13 Calculus & Physics

"It went very well. Yusuf thought it was fantastic and really liked Nicholas so I’m thrilled, thank you."

Yusuf's mother Sarah, June 2024
Year 8, Mathematics

"Thanks so much for the progress report. I am thrilled with the progress Harry has made in this area. He seems much more confident when doing his English homework. He also can now see the benefits from this extra tuition with his results at school."

Harry’s mother Jane, May 2012
Year 11, Level 1 English

“Thank you for the prompt replies and great communication when providing a tutor for my daughter. Not only was it easy to arrange and receive exactly what we asked for but we achieved the results we required. Gabriella passed all her subjects with Merit or Excellence and this was our objective.”

Gabriella’s mother Tracey, January 2016
Year 12, Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics

“Sarah started the course late. However, since starting she has a more positive outlook and understanding of the subject maths.

Her test results at school were pleasing and it was great to see achieves, merits and excellence right across the board. Even though maths was only achieved in terms of marks Sarah is now more confident in knowing she will pass NCEA in 2016.”

Sarah’s mother Linda, January 2016
Year 10, Mathematics

“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

“Hi Melanie thank you for your tutoring last year, I just wanted you to know that I got excellence in bio! Thank you for helping me get there :)”

Rachel, January 2017
Year 13, Biology

"You have summed Georgia up well [in the progress report] and I am delighted with her progress with you - there is certainly a real difference between her school work and the work that you are doing with her and this has meant her ability to achieve good grades that she sets herself is now very achievable.

 

Thank you for your tutoring of her - she obviously benefits from her one on one sessions with you."

Georgia’s mother Louisa, April 2015
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

"Megan would be our first choice if we need a tutor again - she's awesome!"

Tom's mother Heidi, December 2024
Year 8, English

“Josh moved from stats to calc, he had a lot of catching up to do.
The tutoring gave him a better chance at his exams, he seemed more confident about his ability.”

Josh’s father Russell, January 2016
Year 13, Calculus

"Not only has my Max found your Max very helpful with his maths learning, but he has also enjoyed his company, taken a tutorial at the University and been inspired to follow in Max’s footsteps and aim to do a degree in Computer Science! A direction was what Max needed most of all so now he has a reason to try to do well in his exams."

Max’s mother Caroline, October 2014
Year 12, Mathematics

"We were very impressed with Trinity, and are looking forward to having her back.  Her communication was outstanding, and I was impressed with the way she engaged Hannah and checked that she understood concepts before moving on."

Hannah's father Hadley, August 2026
Year 10 Mathematics

“Hi Melanie,

Ryan got his student pack, which we looked through together when he got home and I saw the letter then.

Ryan enjoyed his first lesson with Hayden. He wanted to talk about and discuss the things Hayden had taught him! Ryan said he likes Hayden’s teaching method.

Hayden speaking clearly and talking directly to him made it easier for Ryan to understand. Ryan talked about his teachers at school and he said one of his teachers talks quietly and mumbles a lot which makes it difficult for children in the class to understand him.

I think Hayden will help with Ryan’s confidence to ask more questions at school.

So I must say, it has been a very positive start and Ryan is looking forward to his next lesson.

Thanking you, Kerrie”

Ryan’s mother Kerrie, August 2016
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

"Thank you Melanie. We really appreciate the thorough report.  I must say it is wonderful to see Jack's confidence grow.  Isla does such a great job teaching Jack - she is so patient and kind, and also very smart.
Best, Ali."

Jack's mother Ali, August 2026
Year 5 English & Mathematics

“Hello Melanie,
Our tutor was superb - such a great girl :-)
Esme found her so helpful.
Kind regards, Annie”

Esme’s mother Annie, December 2016
Year 11, English

“I have been very happy with the progress Henry has been making and finding the tutoring very beneficial for him. He seems to connect well with Jackson.”

Henry’s mother Tracey, September 2015
Year 10, English & Mathematics

"Adele enjoyed it. Ciara was really good how she interacted with and went through things with Adele."

Adele's father Jim, May 2025
Year 11, Mathematics 

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

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

"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

"Isabella had a really good tutoring session with Hannah, thank you. She was very grateful for Hannah's help with her physics.
Thank you for arranging and for checking in."

Isabella's mother Deanne, May 2026
Year 13, Physics

"[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

"We are very impressed by Joran and appreciate the effort he is putting into working with Isaac.
A great thorough report.
We are pleased to be continuing with his tutoring."

Isaac's mother Rebecca, August 2025
Year 12 Digital Technology

"Thanks for the tutoring for Liam. He ended up with a merit endorsement for Physics and 2 merits and an achieved in the external."

Liam’s mother Raewyn, January 2014
Year 12, 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.