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.

“Hello Melanie. I just want to thank you for the excellent tutorials you provide.”

Ariam, July 2014
Year 13, Biology, Chemistry, Physics & Statistics

“Many thanks to both of you for your assistance with his Physics and Calculus, we have noticed a massive turn around in both his grades and also his attitude towards both subjects.”

Kyran’s mother Janine, November 2015
Year 13, Calculus & Physics

“We found AHeadStart very approachable ,quick to respond to our emails and provided an excellent tutor who made our daughter feel comfortable to ask all those questions she needed to understand the subject and pass her subject with better than expected results. Claire.”

Georgia’s mother Claire, January 2016
Year 11, Accounting

“I would recommend head start to any parent as an added learning tool for their child.”

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

"Felicity is loving her tutor lessons and getting alot from the sessions. 
We would love to continue next year when school is back."

Felicity's parents Antoinette and Mike, November 2024
Year 10, English & Mathematics

"Hi Melanie,
She found the time very useful,  and enjoyed meeting Ciara. She seemed pretty happy about how things went. Big thanks to Ciara for making such a positive impression and for being so helpful."

Scarlett's mother Amanda, May 2025
Year 12, Chemistry & Mathematics

"Melanie was great in squeezing Danielle in for just a couple of revision lessons at the end of the school year and after school internal exams. However just the confidence she achieved was brilliant on its own. Thank you Melanie."

Danielle’s mother Lisa, December 2009
Year 12, Level 2 Physics

“All great feedback!! It was very helpful, he helped me to understand a concept that has been almost completely out of reach for about 2 and a half years. Will definitely be helpful, Many thanks.”

Alice, May 2014
Year 13, IB Physics

“We have found the services of AHeadStart to be wonderful, friendly and personalised. Nothing is ever a problem and they are happy to think outside the square to find solutions. We got tuition to expand our son's horizons and to make up some weaknesses his school has, rather than to improve his marks and AHeadStart has done this wonderfully. The fact our son has come away from NCEA level 1 with excellence is an added bonus."

Samuel’s mother Jasmine, January 2014
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

"Megan was an amazing tutor. In the two sessions we covered a lot of ground.
I am very confident with referencing, essay writing and time management."

Karen, July 2025
Postgrad Nursing Research

“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

"I'd like to arrange some tutoring for Laura for this year. Tania and her worked well together last year, so if she's free that would be great.

Laura's grades from Year 12 were really good - Excellence Endorsement overall. Merits for the Maths papers she sat (one was only one point off an Excellence!), Excellences for the Physics papers, and Merits for the Chemistry papers.

So she just needs someone to keep her on track, and explain things when the teachers fail to explain in ways that she can understand."

Laura's mother Abbey, January 2026
Year 12 Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics

“Dawn said she had a very good experience & Aaron is a very good teacher. She got excellence for her NCEA English & Classics.
​I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for guiding her in her English subject.”

Dawn’s mother Doreen, January 2016
Year 13, English

"[Melanie] made her feel more confident and relaxed about biology, confirmed her knowledge and allowed her a relaxed environment in which to ask questions which were concerning her about details of the subject."

Ngaio’s mother Jenny, January 2009
Year 13, Level 3 Biology

“Hi Melanie,

Thank you so much for helping with us with a tutor at the last minute.

Thomas has really enjoyed Sam and has definitely found it helpful, so fingers crossed!! We would definitely recommend both AHeadStart and Sam to anyone.

Many thanks, Charlene”

Thomas’s mother Charlene, November 2016
Year 13, Economics

“Amelia was awesome! What a gem. Rosa had a very enjoyable and productive first session with her.

The bio exam went much better than expected and the tutoring helped a lot. Please pass on our thanks to Marwah.”

Rosa’s mother Sara, November 2015
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

"Chloe really enjoyed the tutoring lesson with Ciara today, she came back to the car very happy and excited to be working with Ciara.
Thank you to Ciara for providing Chloe with a bit of homework each week, it will keep Chloe's brain busy."

Chloe's mother Jenny, February 2025
Year 8, English

"Just thought I'd pass on that Beau really enjoyed his first session with Louie.  His comment was 'I thought Clara was good, but Louie just makes it so easy to understand and we get through so much.'
Thanks again Melanie- it takes a huge load of my mind knowing that your tutors are of such a high quality."

Beau's mother Kelly, September 2025
Year 11 Accounting

"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

“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

“Sam has done so well this term – Jordan has had a huge impact on him. Math’s has improved along with all most all other curriculum subjects.

Sam has so much more confidence now within the classroom – so huge thanks!"

Ben’s mother Nikhola, October 2013
Year 11, Mathematics

"The feedback which I have received from my student has been extremely positive. He had Jason as a Maths Teacher, and I know that the one on one tution made all the difference to the confidence of my student. I would definitely recommend the agency they are easy to contact and very helpful. He will be using the services of your agency again in 2010. I am the guardian of this young man, and I know that from his comments he is extremely satisfied."

Paht’s guardian Margaret, December 2009
Year 12 Mathematics

"Ciara seems like a smart young woman, and I think her and Harvey got on well, so looking good.
Thanks, Geoff"

Harvey's father Geoff, February 2025
Year 11, Mathematics

“It went really well with Sean yesterday. Joshua really likes him and did some great work and he is looking forward to his next session.  Sean seems to be a great tutor who deals with Joshua on his own level and asks him lots of questions which Joshua liked and Joshua responded really well to Sean.”

Joshua’s mother Heather, July 2016
Year 5, English & Mathematics

“Hi Melanie

We really want to say thank you for your professional and friendly service. The tuition has certainly helped Benjamin to achieve better in Physics and Maths. He really does struggle with his learning and we were encouraging him to tackle these tricky subjects to allow him to achieve in these UE subjects.

Please pass onto James that he has been amazing and Benjamin really enjoyed receiving tuition from him. He was very good at encouraging and teaching Ben at Ben's level of understanding.

Many thanks, Sarah”

Ben’s mother Sarah, November 2016
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.