Parent Testimonials

“I would recommend AHeadStart to anyone - the one-on-one approach really works well and has benefited my teenage children. It is money well spent.”

Lauren’s & Sam’s mother Erin, January 2014
Year 9 & Year 12, Mathematics

"We would just like to let you know that things went really well with Hannah’s first visit today. Lucy was really chuffed about how much she had learned and Hannah is a lovely girl and obviously very patient!

We are feeling very confident that this is the beginning of a huge improvement in Lucy’s understanding of maths and we are lucky to have someone like Hannah to help her."

Lucy’s mother Sarah, July 2012
Year 5, Mathematics

“Reinforced basic concepts and showed how to answer exam questions.
He got the Calculus prize at end of year prize giving!”

Alex’s mother, January 2016
Year 13, Calculus

"Mel is a very knowledgeable tutor and has a gentle approach to passing this knowledge on to the student. A lot of thought goes into the lesson plans taking into account the students individual ways of learning. I have always verbalised what I would like to see achieved and feel able to discuss Callum's needs as far as I see. Mel is always happy to tweak her lessons plans and try new ways to help achieve results. The tutoring has been very worthwhile."

Callum’s parents Sandra & Ian Young, December 2008
Year 11, Level 1 Science

"Sophie I'm sure has gained a good deal from her tutorials, even if just increased confidence in her abilities. Helena was a good match for her and very flexible with times etc."

Sophie’s mother Kirstie, November 2014
Year 11, Mathematics

“Tom is loving his tuition, Sean is great and Tom has said he has learnt more in the last two weeks than all of last term!”

Tom’s mother Jo, April 2015
Year 9, Mathematics & Science

“You provided fantastic tutoring for my daughters Holly, from St Andrews College, and Sorren, who was working hard to improve her SAT maths score for admission to a USA university scholarship (incidentally she is in her 3rd year now!).”

Holly’s & Sorren’s mother Erica, October 2015

“Maths and English were two topics she greatly struggled with. By the end of Level 1 and Level 2 she was achieving in ways that not only shocked us but also her teachers. The improvement was mind blowing.

In Maths it was all new work to her and she did not understand it at all, her tutor was honestly the best tutor we had ever met, he not only taught her skills to understand Maths but he got her from basic maths to achieving mainly merits throughout the two years. For English her first internal she went from getting achieved to suddenly getting excellences for every internal she ever did. And passed all of her exams.”

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

"Eva just texted with her physics result. One mark off excellence, and half the class failed. I am so relieved that we have Max on board. He is fabulous. [Eva] was one of the few pupils who had even seen some important model thing, and this was only because Max had gone through it with her. Thank goodness for Max!"

Eva’s mother Frances, June 2015
Year 12, Level 2 Chemistry & Physics

“I would just like to pass on thanks to Mo for the great Job he did with Adam in such a short time! He went from NA in mocks for Chemistry and Physics to passing both with Merit.

Will definitely be back and will recommend him to others.”

Adam’s mother Jayne, January 2015
Year 11, Chemistry & Physics

“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

“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

“Clare's science and English internal assessment standard scores both improved. Her tutor is very keen to understand and support her with her new learning disability diagnosis which we are very grateful for.”

Clare’s mother, January 2016
Year 11, English & Science

“We are extremely grateful to Melanie for all of the help she gave our daughter. We believe she would not have achieved her excellent results without Melanie's great tutoring.”

Skye’s mother Susanne, January 2014
Year 13, Biology & Calculus

"Kathleen went from 'giving up' to 'give it a go'. She was amazed and relieved to find she could understand the work."

Kathleen’s father John, December 2009
Year 13, Level 3 Physics

“Samuel came away with excellence in both subjects. He may have achieved this by himself in maths, however I believe your tuition in Science made a big difference. This is one of the weaker faculty’s at Kaiapoi and the extra tuition meant all areas of the syllabus were covered."

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

"Just thought I would let you and Daniel know, Daniel passed NCEA he got a total of 124 credits out of 124.

He was flunking Algebra at the beginning of the year, Daniel helped him in Algebra and Daniel got a Merit in NCEA!

Some of the sciences Daniel was weak in and he passed all of them with some Merits. The most important Physics with merit which is the science he is doing next year.

As I said the tutoring he had with Daniel made a huge difference and encouraged our Daniel to try and do better."

Daniel’s mother Kerrie, January 2012
Year 11, Level 1 Mathematics & Science

“AHeadStart definitely provides a more professional and comprehensive service [than other tuition].”

Emmerson’s mother Tracey, January 2016
Year 13, Biology & Chemistry

“Melanie has given my daughter more confidence in her own abilities and she is more positive and engaged in her maths. I highly recommend this to anyone who feels their child needs a boost in a subject.”

Emma’s mother Karen, January 2016
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

“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

"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

"I think Supun has already let you know his results. He has been awarded Merit endorsement for Chemistry. I am happy with the other subjects as well. Finally he has achieved University entrance for Engineering which I dreamed. This is the path I wanted Supun to show to go ahead and to achieve. Your teaching, your efforts and encouragements was a huge factor Supun to gain this. So thank you very much and much appreciate this."

Supun’s father Rohana, January 2012
Year 13, Level 3 Calculus, Chemistry & Physics

"Thanks heaps for all the great work you have done with Bryony over the last 3 years. She has really enjoyed working with you, and you can certainly take credit for her results so far. I think you have a great way of relating to her, and getting the best from her in a non-threatening way. I wish you well for the future."

Bryony’s mother Paula, December 2012
Year 13, Level 3 Chemistry, Physics & Statistics

"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