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.

"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

“We assessed AHeadStart and Kip McGrath. My son had a definite preference for AHeadStart as it was much more 'slick' and professional with younger tutors.”

Peter’s mother, January 2016
Year 9, Mathematics & Science

"Just a quick email to say thank you for making it possible for Ethan to have calculus tutoring from Finlay – he has been amazing with Ethan!"

Ethan's mother Janette, October 2025
Year 13 Calculus

“Hi Melanie,
The boys seem to be confident going forward for their exams so hopefully their efforts will be rewarded. Thanks for being great to deal with and for an excellent service whatever the outcome.

With thanks and best wishes

Arthur”

Joshua’s and Tom’s Father Arthur, November 2016
Year 11 & Year 13, Mathematics & Physics

“Hayden has been amazing. Morgan is a much more confident boy with his studies :)”

Morgan’s mother Joyce, October 2016
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

“I gained a lot of knowledge about chemistry, my grades were achieved at the start of the year and i ended up receiving excellence in all my internals. If it wasn't for AHeadStart I most likely would have barely passed level 2 chemistry.”

Matthew, January 2016
Year 12, Chemistry

"Thanks for your email. Yes [Markus] said it was good (high praise from a teen!)
He said Kopila was helpful so please pass on my thanks to her and we will see her next week."

Markus' mother Sarah, March 2024
Year 12, Biology and Physics

“Hi Melanie

The purpose for my email is to let you know how much Eveane is enjoying her sessions and how much she has improved in a very short time. She had an internal assessment about 3 weeks ago and at that stage she had only had a couple of sessions. She was beyond surprised to have gone from Not Achieving in Chemistry to achieving Excellence for her assessment. She has developed a lot more confidence and understanding in THIS subject now.

Thank you so very much, we are beyond grateful!

Regards,
Suz”

Eveane’s mother Suzanne, July 2016
Year 12, Chemistry

“Just want to pass on some great news. Ben has passed a Maths Internal with Merit!!!! This is the first Merit he has received in Maths.

So we feel very satisfied that Tuition is good for Ben. He also is very happy with James and pleased that he swapped.”


Ben’s mother Sarah, April 2016
Year 12, Mathematics & Physics


 

“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 repeated year 12 physics as I need it for Medical Imaging. I had already learnt the material, I just wasn't grasping ideas as well as I could have. Having tuition from Mel refreshed the topics and went into detail so that I had a clear idea of all of the concepts. I believe that getting tuition from Mel meant I could go into my exams with confidence and I am quite confident that I will get the grades I am looking for!"

Alice, December 2009
Year 13, Level 2 Physics

"Natasha is doing extremely well with the extra tuition and has been getting merits and the parent teacher interview went extremely well with her English teacher putting forward that she go up a form class next year which is excellent news."

Natasha’s mother Heather, August 2012
Year 9, Level 1 English

"The tutors were fantastic and I am very happy with the quality of teaching they all provide. Thank you."

Year 13 Student, December 2009
Level 3 Physics & Statistics

"Jack has been very appreciative of the tuition!!
Thanks so much for such a great service you offer! 
It's been awesome!!"

Jack's mother Amanda, December 2024
Year 13, Calculus

“The workshops have been great for William- let's see how his results are! I know he's got a lot out of each one - well at least he tells me he has.

Thanks very much to you and your team for what you offer.

Michelle”

William’s mother Michelle, November 2016
Year 13 Calculus & Year 12 Physics

“Jeremy is a great tutor for Lorna – it is a great match and she has done superbly this year, gaining full excellences in all standards. They relate very well, and I would like her to continue with him next year.”

Lorna’s mother Jane, September 2015
Year 11, Level 2 Mathematics

"Thank you so much for your wonderful service and your wonderful tutor’s Finlay & Lucy.  They have such a gift of sharing their knowledge and both have a knack of putting Ethan at ease.  After his sessions he would come home relaxed and confident, and he felt his exams went well.

Also, I hope you don’t mind but I have shared your details with some of the mum’s from St Andrew's College.

We appreciate your support."

Ethan's mother Janette, December 2025
Year 13 Calculus and Chemistry

“Many thanks to Aaron and yourself for the support you have given Mathew this year.”

Mathew’s mother Andrea, November 2015
Year 11, English

"I am from St Andrew's College and have received tutoring from Melanie for the past two years, in Chemistry, Physics, [Mathematics] and Calculus in NCEA levels 2 & 3. I have found it very helpful to revise work that I was unsure of and for practical problem solving. I Found Melanie easy to relate to, and she had a wide knowledge of all the above subjects."

Tom Whitehead, December 2007
Year 13, Level 3 Calculus, Chemistry & Physics

"Hi James and Melanie 
Thankyou so much for the support for Imogen's learning .

James you are making a huge difference to her learning and understanding of both Physics and Chemistry. 
Thank you for working and encouraging . It is fabulous to see how much she values the tutorials . 

Thank you James for communicating with Imogen and mutually flexing the scheduled time . 
Am really thankful for your time and effort.

Melanie I have already mentioned to other friends how fantastic this has been for Imogen .
Hope you both have a lovely week 

Thank you again for making learning enjoyable and successful."

Imogen's mother Louise, June 2025
Year 13 Chemistry & Physics

“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

"It was so great. He's the right teacher for her :) thank you so much. "

Eva-Rose's mother Emily, March 2025
Year 11, Commerce, Mathematics & Science

"It all seemed to go well! Anna appreciated the time taken to establish how she likes to learn. 
There was some homework set, and Anna has this completed already.
I think it's going to be a good thing for Anna's confidence and self belief.
Thank you."

Anna's mother Gillian, May 2025
Year 12, Mathematics & Physics

“We are very happy with [Henry’s tuition] so far. Henry is keen and seems to be completing the work that is set for him by Aaron with no fuss or extra reminders. This is HUGE for Henry.”

Henry’s mother Stephanie, August 2015
Year 11, English

“Tuition helped Harry as he felt confident to ask & discuss what he didn't understand in this one-on-one environment, whereas he wouldn't ask questions in a class setting. Harry passed Science NCEA. Previous to tuition he had failed his non-credit tests. Harry gained confidence in his ability and in asking for help and learnt to go over old papers and be more strategic with his study.”

Harry’s mother Judith, January 2016
Year 11, Science

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.