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.

“Hi Melanie,

Waitaha came home really positive about his first session with Jonathan, he said he was very good and it helped his understanding of the maths they covered today.

Thanks again, Sharon.”

Waitaha’s mother Sharon, June 2016
Year 11, Mathematics

“I contacted AHeadStart to get some extra support for my son about a month prior to NCEA exams. He is a capable student but finds some aspects of English difficult. In 4 or 5 sessions he worked alongside Paula and gained valuable knowledge about completing English exam papers. He was very pleased to get English endorsed with excellence and so were his parents!!.”

Isaac’s mother Jenny, January 2014
Year 11, English

"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

"I wanted to let you know that Ruby got fabulous results in her externals thanks to Joe, yourself and your staff. She even got an excellence and 2 merits in accounting and had never achieved more than an achieved until then.

Thanks again for having this awesome business."

Ruby’s mother Keryn, January 2014
Year 11, Accounting & Mathematics

"Hey Mel, just thought I’d tell you I ended up getting a merit in human evolution and achieved in gene expression and patterns of evolution :) thank you so much for all last year’s help. Hope you have a great year!"

Sarah, January 2012
Year 13, Biology

“Ethan was very impressed with the first tutorial and thought Liam’s approach was great so positive start.”

Ethan’s father Brett, June 2016
Year 12, L3 Calculus & Physics

"Charlotte found her first lesson with Louie invaluable to help get her on the right path. Please thank him, we so appreciate the support for her.
She is looking forward to the next session on Tuesday."

Charlotte's mother Jayne, March 2026
1st Year Law

"It was lovely to meet Isabella today at UC library.
Sota told me afterwards that Isabella was very helpful, honest and understanding. He is happy to continue his lesson with Isabella.
Thank you."

Sota's guardian Mari, March 2025
Year 13, Biology

"Hi Melanie. It’s Nick. Just letting you know I got 63% for my maths test. Yes! A few silly mistake, so I could have done better but anyway 63 is better than a 0!"

Nick, June 2012
Level 100 Mathematics

"Many thanks for your kind words Melanie.
Freddy seemed to think his physics went went.
Please pass on our thanks to Clara- Freddy thought she was great :)"

Freddy's mother Jane, November 2024
Year 12, Mathematics & Physics

"Many thanks for this. He is really enjoying the tutorials and is obviously benefitting from them. I really appreciate your help."

Markus' mother Sarah, June 2024
Year 12, Biology & Physics

"Neve loved Ruby as a tutor. Her friendly, calm demeanour made her feel confident and at ease. I have loved coming in and listening to them, laughing away and engaging in some wonderful discussions and learning. She will be missed."

Neve's mother Kate, October 2024
Year 10, English & 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

"I think my tuition helped me understand the basics of the topics [and] then learn how to put that understanding to use when given a question. Over all it helped me to understand what questions I was going to get asked and how to solve them the fastest way without making lots of silly mistakes."

Kate McDonald, December 2008
Year 13, Level 3 Statistics

"Lauralee and I would also very much like to thank you for your wonderful tuition at the end of last year. Lauralee attained an Excellence in Graphs and a Merit in Algebra, which absolutely thrilled her!! This was after the teacher at school suggested she should not take Maths in Year 12 due to her poor marks during the year! We have so much to thank you for! "

Lauralee’s mother Lisa, January 2012
Year 11, Level 1 Mathematics

"[Tuition] also helped me have a better understanding of the maths subjects I wasn't doing too well in and also helped me set realistic goals for the subjects. Once I got what I wasn't getting it made my confidence go up as I knew that I could actually do it."

Alice Cameron, December 2008
Year 12, Level 2 Mathematics

“It was a great help to Grace. It gave her more confidence with exams and she passed her MCAT which she had been concerned previously that she may not. There were particular aspects also of the curriculum that were specifically letting her down in exams and she was able to get a greater understanding of these areas.”

Grace’s mother Pam, January 2016
Year 11, Mathematics

"Thank you so much for all the support you and your team have given Hiyori since May.
Harry was wonderful today - so kind and knowledgeable.
Thank to your tutoring, Hiyori hasn't fallen behind.We're thrilled to share that she received the Otago Univerity Academic Excellence Scholarshipfor 2026! We truly appreciate your help.
Best, Chikako"

Hiyori's mother Chikako, October 2025
Year 13 Calculus, Chemistry & Physics

"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

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

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

“Melanie showed me how to make better study notes and work more efficiently and how to answer questions.
Before tutoring I would not have passed my exam, I was struggling so much with the understanding of the subject. My tutor broke down the subject into small bits and we worked on them until I understood each bit and she made sure I could do the question on my own.
AHeadStart have helped me heaps with chemistry without them I would not have been able to be on the road to completing my degree.”

Olivia, January 2016
Human Nutrition, Chemistry

“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

"To Mel, Thank you so much for all your wonderful help. Best tutor ever! :D"

Jessie, November 2011
Year 12, Level 2 Mathematics & 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.