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.

"We have absolutely loved Alexandria and she has made a huge difference for Flo's understanding of fractions. Flo has made the progress she was hoping to.
Many thanks."

Flo's mother Colette, September 2025
Year 7 Mathematics

"The kids' first lesson with Thomas went well. They said he is nice and fun.
They are looking forward to their lesson with him tomorrow."

Aida's & Jakob's mother Tara, October 2024
Year 4 & Year 6, English & Mathematics

“Thoroughly professional company, really fantastic tuition and we would very highly recommend AHeadStart. The best thing was that my daughter gained confidence in physics and seriously reduced her anxiety levels, which was a huge plus in a stressful Year 13.
We're glad that we found your company, we thought you were fantastic!”

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

"Thanks so much for your assistance and great tutoring!! Ben was advised today that he got a merit!! We're thrilled.

Thx again! We have appreciated your feedback along the way."

Ben’s father Simon, January 2014
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

"Mikayla absolutely adored Laura and James, they were both so amazing and helped her so much. I know they really had to work hard in getting Mikayla up to scratch and without their help she would not have been able to get through this year, so I am incredibly grateful for all their hard work and for your service that you offer!"

Mikayla’s mother Leeann, November 2014
Year 11, English & Mathematics

"Laura and Tania seemed to get along very well. Looking forward to seeing her next Tuesday!
It's a relief not to have the stress of trying to tutor Laura myself."

Laura's mother Abbey, June 2025
Year 12 Mathematics & Physics

"Hey Melanie :) thanks for your text earlier! Kealan really enjoyed his tutorial with Ryan…I think they are a good match! I thought that Ryan had a nice approachable manner about him & Kealan was very relaxed & open with him :) So all in all…a great start! Kealan is very amped about the whole thing…so I’m stoked!! Thanks Melanie :)."

Kealan’s mother Donna, May 2013
Year 8, Mathematics

“AHeadStart has been incredibly helpful and I definitely would have struggled in exams without the tuitions. AHeadStart overall is better that any of the other tutors I have attended in terms of learning and memorising, approach, time and location. I would recommend AHeadStart to my friends.”

Richard, January 2014
Year 12, Level 2 Biology, Chemistry & Physics

"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

"I just want to say thank you so much for your help throughout the year. I passed the [medical imaging] course. Also, I received a phone call yesterday from a lady from CPIT she phoned me to say that I have won a maths award, I can't believe it! I get it next week and I won $250 with the certificate. I won it because they picked students who came in knowing nothing about maths then coming out with top marks, my final maths exam score was 80% which I was so happy with. And my statistic and math methods was at 80% as well, I honestly thought I was going to fail!"

Lea, December 2015
Pre-Health, Mathematics & Biology

“We were very pleased with Emma’s results as she gained Level 2 with Excellence. Excellence endorsement in Art design and Biology, Merit endorsement in Maths and passed Physics with 9 ex and 13 merits and Chemistry with 12 ex and 8 achieved. Jackson Roberts was an excellent tutor and Emma would be very keen to continue with him.”

Emma’s mother Catriona, January 2016
Year 12, Chemistry, Mathematics & Physics

"Holly is enjoying her maths lessons with James and has found them really helpful, she got a merit pass for her last internal which was a fantastic result. Having the extra help has helped her confidence so that she has a better attitude to maths."

Holly’s mother Bernadette, July 2013
Year 11, Mathematics

“Leading up to the MCAT exam, Megan was still really confused and school was not offering anything in the way of tutorials. After 2 sessions with AHeadStart Megan felt she had enough understanding to pass the exam, and she actually achieved merit.”

Megan’s mother Donna, January 2014
Year 11, Level 1 Mathematics

“Hi Melanie

Veronika received Excellence in her last physics report she did over school holidays. She has also received a few excellence in physics and chemistry and merits in maths before. Please say many thanks to Jackson - he is a wonderful tutor

Warmest regards, Lana”

Veronika’s mother Lana, August 2016
Year 13, Calculus, Chemistry & Physics

“We are very happy with Claudia’s lessons and that her test results in class have improved considerably, with her end of year report and conversations with her science teacher supporting her growth in this subject.  Claudia’s confidence has grown heaps! 

Claudia is a quiet student who struggles to ask for help when she needs it, so the one on one lessons have been amazing for her.  Marwah is fantastic and Claudia just loves her, which makes her lessons a delight rather than a chore. 

Thank you for our short time with you last year and we really look forward to 2014 with AHeadStart.”

Claudia’s mother Trish, January 2014
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

"Eve was very happy with how it went thanks.
Isabella was great to deal with from my side too.
Thanks for organising."

Eve's mother Anna, August 2025
Year 10 English, Mathematics and Science

"Thanks to Jesse for his excellent tuition of Oscar this year.  I believe that Oscar has made a huge improvement in chemistry and Jesses help in other areas has very much benefited his learning.
Thanks for an excellent service."

Oscar's mother Tiffany, November 2024
Year 13, Chemistry

"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

“Just wanted to let you know how much we have appreciated having Max as Hunter's tutor. He has been flexible and reliable and a great fit for Hunter's learning style. We wish you both well for the future."

Hunter’s mother Julie, December 2015
Year 13, Level 3 Calculus & Chemistry

"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

"[Tuition helped my daughter understand better] some difficult areas of Maths and science for which we could not help. She has a greater enthusiasm to study science after tuition began. My daughter's confidence to take on exams has increased remarkably. She has also shown very good exam results due to tuition from AHeadStart."

Shali’s father Tissa, December 2008
Year 10, Mathematics

“Thank you Melanie.

Alex found both James and Bridget very, very helpful. They made a real effort to get him enthusiastic about some of his tougher subjects again!!

Regards and thanks for the wonderful service you offer. :-)

Lois”

Alex’s mother Lois, November 2016
Year 13, Biology, Calculus, Chemistry & English

“Thank you for your excellent tutoring service and support of Ben over the past couple years.”

Ben’s mother Anya, November 2015
Year 13, Statistics

"[My daughter] was advised not to attempt Chem or Stats as her level 2 results were not good enough. She passed all of her internals with some merit passes. She has worked very hard with the tuition showing her how to maximise her efforts."

Mother of student December 2009
Year 13, Level 3 Chemistry & Statistics

“Josh did enjoy and found the tutorials very helpful from Blake, Max and Hugh.  Next year he will decide which scholarship subjects to take.  He will be wanting assistance with tutorials in 2016 and I will get in touch with you with his requirements as soon as I can.”

Josh’s mother Cate, December 2015
Year 12, Level 2 Accounting, Economics, English & Mathematics

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.