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.

"Melanie was wonderful in her availability to cater for Danielle at short notice. Danielle was very certain that she was going to do poorly in her Physics exam prior to her lessons with Melanie. Melanie provided a method of formulas that would help Danielle answer questions. Melanie explained the subject in a way that suited Danielle. Danielle was very happy in the end."

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

"Hi Melanie. You will be pleased to know that I passed all of my maths papers and even managed two merits for graphs and sequences. There is no doubt that these results stemmed from the tutoring you gave me so thanks again for your help."

Briar, January 2009
Year 12, Level 2 Mathematics

"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

"Many thanks for Jackson's report on George's progress. We have been so impressed with Jackson - he certainly packs a lot into an hour! George has found him very easy to relate to."

George’s mother Judith, October 2014
Year 12, Biology, Chemistry & Mathematics

"Kia ora Melanie

Thank you so much to you and Ariana's tutors that she's had over the years. Hard to believe yesterday was her last session. 

We're both very proud of Ariana's commitment and effort towards her studies."

Ariana's mother Sam, November 2025
Year 13 Physics

“Thanks Melanie,

We are very happy with Georgia’s progress. Tim is a credit to your company - polite, prompt and Georgia says she is learning heaps, so thank you.

Kind regards, Claire”

Georgia’s mother Claire, November 2016
Year 12, Mathematics & Physics

“I've been a student of AHeadStart for the past 4 years. During this time, I have seen a great improvement in my grades as well as my fundamental knowledge in the subjects that I studied. I would definitely recommend AHeadStart as a tuition option, as the tutors are great and there are many resources and workshops available to students.”

Ellen, January 2014
Year 13, Level 3 Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics

“I'd like to say a very big thank you to both Ashleigh and Hugh for the support that they have shown Megan through this year. They have been wonderful and a huge help.

It has been a very tough year for Megan, far worse than we could ever have imagined, but she seems to have pulled through.   They were both very understanding and accommodating to the way Te Kura set out their lessons etc.  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!”

Megan’s mother Toni, November 2015
Year 13, Accounting, Economics, English & History

"Thanks for all the help you have given Sam. You have done a great job and have a lovely way of teaching."

Sam’s grandmother Jackie, December 2012
Year 13, Level 3 Statistics

"It’s nice to know that our son can go to AHeadStart and leave having learnt the things he somehow missed in class."

Lyndon’s mother Marian, December 2009
  Year 10 Maths & Science

"Yes, Helena's Chemistry exam was Friday. She felt mildly confident but you never really know do you. 
Either way, result wise,  Hannah was fantastic. She was the difference between confidence/knowledge and not."

Helena's mother Rachele, November 2024
Year 13, Chemistry

“Hello. Just an update on my external results. I’ve passed both the algebra and graphs test!!!!! Super happy and can’t thank you enough for helping me. Wishing you all the best, regards Priya :)”

Priya, January 2016
Year 11, Mathematics

"Ailish really enjoyed it thanks so much. She felt comfortable and enjoyed the 1 on 1, she really liked Isabella."

Ailish's mother Sinead, August 2026
Year 9 Mathematics

"Hey Melanie I got excellence in level three with 63 e credits. Thanks for everything. Stats was really good with all e’s apart from confidence intervals but I am stoked. For everything else I got endorsed with merit. Overall it’s excellence though. Yay :)"

Shalini, January 2012
Year 13, Biology, Chemistry, Physics & Statistics

"No doubt Saphron's ability to comprehend and understand Maths has led to a huge improvement in her School work. She has worked hard in class and both her confidence and understanding have now seen her work improve from a slightly below level student to her now becoming in the top 3% in her class, with a recommendation from her Teacher that she be moved forward going into next year. Maths Speed tests were also a mind block, but these are now completed quickly and accurately. Saphron's report is not due until next week but indications are that Teachers have been very impressed with her progression. We owe a lot of Saphron's improvements to Melanie with her programme certainly having a very positive effect on our child's learning."

Saphron’s father Mark, December 2008
Year 7, Mathematics

“Morning, Many thanks for Maddi’s progress report– Just wanted to say how pleased we are with the progress Maddi is making and we believe a lot of this can be contributed to Jackson’s fantastic way of teaching Maddi…
Kind regards, Sue”


Maddi’s mother Sue, April 2016
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

 

"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

"My goal was to pass. We met and went through the questions one by one. It was such an exhausting lesson. But it was really worth it, because I really couldn't believe it when I learnt that my overall mark was C+ "a clear pass". So I got in contact with AHeadStart, and Melanie "my tutor" had helped me to acquire these maths basics, which by the way were very essential for other subjects too."

Khalid, December 2008
Level 100 Statistics

“We tried Numberworks when the children were younger. I think the total one on one AHeadStart tutoring was better for our Catherine.”

Catherine’s mother Vivienne, January 2014
Year 12, Biology, Chemistry & Mathematics

“Hannah achieved NCEA Level 3 with merit and is attending Canterbury University this year - she enjoyed her tutoring with Robert and although she became disengaged towards the end of the year, that was of her doing and her results in Statistics and Biology are testament to her having received tutoring.”

Hannah’s mother Louisa, February 2015
Year 13, Biology & Statistics

“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

“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

"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

"Michelle's lesson with Meg yesterday went well. Meg said she learnt a lot and though she's aware that she has a long way to go yet with algebra, she felt like she learned things that she has been unable to learn at school (apparently the teacher does not really address questions the pupils have - she just moves on). So it has been a great start."

Meg’s mother Lee, August 2012
Year 11, Level 1 Mathematics

“AHeadStart is a fantastic tutoring company! With tutors who help each individual students and cater to their specific needs, and with the flexibility of being able to come to your own home. AHeadStart is definitely a tutoring company I would recommend.”

Matthew, January 2016
Year 12, Chemistry

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.