Parent Testimonials

"Mo did a great job even has Adam looking at Engineering at Uni!

[Adam] passed his Chemistry Internal well and thinks he has done well in his Externals so was well worth it."

Adam’s mother Jayne, November 2014
Year 11, Chemistry & Physics

“She learned that physics is fun! She learned that it is really easy to understand when she knows the language and has more confidence in her own abilities. Her marks improved markedly and she ended up receiving the Cathedral College Physics Cup for Year 13. Her teacher had always had a lot of confidence in her ability to understand physics, but Edie was almost holding herself back by thinking she wasn't capable.”

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

"Wow, that is really great! Jackson certainly seems to have the gift of being able to get the information across so that the pupil understands. It's all very well knowing something, but teaching it effectively to others is quite another thing.

Edie will be cross with me for telling you about the prize, but I thought that you'd both like to hear that your services were working very effectively!! For Edie physics has gone from being something of a mystery, to very interesting things which apply to all aspects of life and the world around her. She was accepted into Fine Arts at Canterbury yesterday, which she is thrilled about, as are we, as it sees her being in an environment where she will continue to grow and to learn, and to keep on loving learning! (And physics will be very useful applied to sculpture!)"

Edie’s mother Gretchen, November 2014
Year 13, Physics

"The session went really well thanks. Molly said Cameron was great answering her questions and that he communicated really well the answers. She said it was very helpful"

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

“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

“I can't thank Joe enough for all he has done with George! We are happy to see that he has regained his confidence with Joe's help. I am sure it has not been easy to get a 9 year old to want to do an hour’s maths work after school but he has done an amazing job at making it fun and interesting. I am sure George will miss seeing him on Thursdays.”

George’s mother Gwynneth, September 2015
Year 4, Mathematics

“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

"Thanks very much for your support in finding a tutor for Rebecca. Rebecca is off to study Law and International Relations in Wellington next year and she is fortunate to have been granted a $10,000 excellence scholarship to attend. The success of which is in part due to the tutoring assistance she has received.

We have really appreciated the friendly yet professional way you run your business and Rebecca has found both her tutors to be very good. We were introduced to AHeadStart through word of mouth and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend AHeadStart to others."

Rebecca’s mother Noreen, November 2012
Year 13, Level 3 Calculus

"Issey has found her time with Jackson really valuable. He has been a superb tutor for her and they have managed to cover a lot of ground. We hope to use AHeadStart again next year."

Issey’s mother Robyn, November 2014
Year 11, English, Science & Mathematics

"Briar was totally chuffed at her results and deservedly so. But the key for me was that it confirmed for her that she was quite capable of working through and understanding her maths, even though she had convinced herself that this was not possible. It seems to be a real issue for maths that so many students think that they are totally unable to comprehend the principles - you either like maths or you hate it and there seems to be no grey area in-between. So the credit really goes to you Melanie for getting Briar over that "useless at maths" label and giving her the chance to succeed - and she did so well! You have a great intuition for understanding how best to explain the subject."

Briar’s mother Cathie, January 2009
Year 12, Level 2 Mathematics

“We wanted to let you know how much Olivia has enjoyed her tuition. Amelia has been a great match for her. Olivia has improved a lot over the time Amelia has tutored her to the point where her teacher at school has commented. Also she has made a significant improvement in her end of year maths tests and has gone up a stanine.

We really hope that Olivia can continue her tutoring with Amelia next year.”

Olivia’s mother Kerry, November 2015
Year 7, Mathematics

“Having a tutor who was very close in age was great, she felt he really understood the topic and was easily able to explain it to her on her level, and that he knew exactly what she needed to do well in the exams.”

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

“Thanks to you and Sean for the excellent report. George is really enjoying maths now and recently got the top score in his class maths test and has been asked to join a maths extension group at school!  We are certain this is all thanks to Sean. He really looks forward to his tutorials with Sean each week which is great!”

George’s mother Justine, August 2015
Year 7, Mathematics

“Thank you very much for the service you provide. Mo has been a great support for Jake when he needed it.”

Jake’s mother Lisa, November 2015
Year 13, Physics

“Kate is finding the two sessions she has already had with Aaron to be very helpful so that is great, especially at this late stage in the year.”

Kate’s mother Marie, November 2015
Year 13, Statistics

"Sarah has been wonderful for Nicole and so patient.  She has come a long way and has had a good attitude and self-belief which is showing in her work."

Nicole’s mother Alison, October 2013
Year 11 English, Mathematics & Science

"Somin is very happy with Joe and she says he is very good at teaching the way she needs to learn. This is much better for Somin than the other 2 tutors we had [elsewhere], who were too generally focused, but not on what she needed."

Somin’s guardian Vicki, August 2013
Year 11, Accounting, Mathematics & Science

"Thank you for report, it is very encouraging.

I have also been very encouraged over the last few weeks with the shift in attitude that Grace has towards her maths, and this has to be attributed to Becky & her wonderful tutoring.

Grace has said on numerous occasions how fantastic Becky is and how much fun the tutoring sessions are. This change in her mind set must bode well for things continuing to improve.

Please pass on my heartfelt thanks to Becky – what would we have done without her?!!!"

Grace’s mother Jackie, June 2012
Year 11, Level 1 Mathematics & Science

"My son did not achieve in the first school topic test for physical science. After getting tuition from Melanie all his other topic tests were Merits and Excellences and his end of the year test for Year 11 was Merits and Excellences. Thank you very much Melanie. "

Supun’s father Rohana, December 2009
Year 11, Level 1 Chemistry & Physics

“Just a note to thank you very much for all your help with supporting Daisy via Helena again this year. Daisy’s confidence and love of science due to Helena’s expert and engaging tuition has blossomed. From the Year 10 girl I called you about two years ago, starting to lose her understanding of concepts and needing support, to the confident Excellence level student we have now, has been a transformation. Daisy has always loved science and that love has grown ten-fold in the past two years. She managed to gain 100% Excellences in all her internals this year… not just for her 3 sciences but in all 6 subjects and is already way past the 50 Excellence credits needed for her Level 2 Excellence endorsement, and only 6 credits shy of gaining her second Gold Bar at St Margaret’s (70 E credits).

Many thanks once more. Please tell Helena that Daisy will be in touch with her when she gets her results in January!”

Daisy’s mother Lorelei, December 2015
Year 12, Level 2 Chemistry, Mathematics & 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

“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