Parent Testimonials

"Thank you so much for the Progress Report. We are really pleased with Blake and the progress Spike is making. It’s been excellent timing for him at school to keep up with the work and make him aware of looking into the future."

Spike’s mother Di, October 2013
Year 11, English

"Yea Sophie loved it. By the way, Maths is by far and away the toughest thing for Sophie. Prior to her tutoring Sophie's last exam resulted in an achieved. The good news is since getting Kelly's help, Sophie just received four excellence credits on her latest maths test. Please accept our heartfelt thanks to you and Kelly."

Sophie’s father Simon, June 2012
Year 12, Level 2 Mathematics

“My daughter's confidence, self-esteem and knowledge have all improved significantly. Clare had been considered 'at risk' of not passing NCEA by her school. However she ended up earning 102 credits which she was very excited about.
She doesn't find tutoring boring and is always happy to go. [She enjoys] Jackson's warm, kind and patient manner as well as his ability to explain things in different ways until she understood - he didn't make her feel stupid for asking for more detail.
Highly recommend AHeadStart.”

Clare’s mother, January 2016
Year 11, English & Science

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you SO much for all your help and support over the years – you have made an amazing difference to Alex and I know she would have struggled without you. I think it would be lovely to keep in touch – I know Alex will really like that.

Thank you again – for your fabulous help."

Alex’s mother Catherine, December 2012
Year 13, Level 3 Biology, Calculus, Chemistry & Physics

"Holly got science endorsed with Merit in her NCEA external exams. She also got accounting and phys ed endorsed with Merit.

She passed maths with achieved in the externals which she is happy about. She is also happy she passed as she thought she had failed."

Holly’s mother Mary, January 2013
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

"Hi Melanie. Taylor got all of her biology credits (23) and has been accepted into Otago polytech for the bachelor of nursing :-)"

Taylor’s mother Yvonne, January 2014
Year 13, Biology

“The day I spoke to Melanie and set up tutoring for my daughter for Maths and English was the best decision we had made. Even though going through a tutoring service costs, it truly was worth every cent we paid.

We saw our daughter go from struggling and frustrated to confidently understanding what she was doing which in return achieved her passing Level 1 and Level 2 with absolute ease. Not only did she pass with more than enough credits she passed English both years with a Merit Endorsement.

Our aim was for our daughter to pass and achieve marks that she would be proud of and with the help of the amazing tutors that she had she accomplished all that she wanted to. Thank you AHeadStart for all of the services you offer, I would highly recommend this service to anyone!!”

Mikayla’s mother Leeann, January 2016
Year 12, English & Mathematics

“Jedd is dyslexic and needed assistance with implementing and understanding what he was learning at school.
Jedd's school report was excellent and he achieved "above the standard" results in many of the assessed areas which was impressive for Jedd!”

Jedd’s mother, January 2016
Year 10, English

"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

"Thanks for the tutoring for Liam. He ended up with a merit endorsement for Physics and 2 merits and an achieved in the external."

Liam’s mother Raewyn, January 2014
Year 12, Physics

"Angus has received good results with AHeadStart and we as parents have really appreciated Melanie coming to his school for the tuition."

Angus’ mother Bridget, December 2009
Year 10 Mathematics & Science

“Hi Melanie 

The tutorial went extremely well. Douglas was quite apprehensive but totally clicked with Jackson and said the 90minutes went very quickly and Jackson helped enormously with the maths and chemistry he had been doing this week. 

Many Thanks, Catriona”

Douglas’ mother Catriona, February 2016
Year 11, Mathematics & Science​

"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

"You have summed Georgia up well [in the progress report] and I am delighted with her progress with you - there is certainly a real difference between her school work and the work that you are doing with her and this has meant her ability to achieve good grades that she sets herself is now very achievable.

Thank you for your tutoring of her - she obviously benefits from her one on one sessions with you."

Georgia’s mother Louisa, April 2015
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

“Thanks to Sean for the great tuition for George- he is really progressing well at school and he obtained a distinction in his ICAS maths which is fantastic!”

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

“Tom has improved his test scores in maths and will be up streamed soon we hope. His confidence has improved hugely and that is due to the knowledge and understanding Sean has given him. Sean was easy to get on with, a great role model and very smart and appropriate at all times, a great teacher.”

Tom’s mother Jo, January 2016
Year 10, Mathematics

“AHeadStart tuition is beneficial to both the student and the parents. Regular focused tuition throughout the year enabled my dyslexic son to approach is NCEA level 3 exams in a calm, confident and organised manner. The one on one verbal tuition suits my son far better than revising by reading. I felt comfortable that George was receiving the best learning support we could provide him with. With the help of AHeadStart tutor, Jackson, our son has passed NCEA level 3 with Excellence. Thanks!”

George’s mother Judith, January 2016
Year 13, Biology & Chemistry

“Ben has been really pleased with his tutor, who he has made a connection with, which has made it easier for him to learn. Thank you very much. It is great to see his spirits lifted after a tough school year.”

Ben’s mother Kerry, November 2015
Year 11, English & Media Studies

“Thanks again to Max for his wonderful tutoring. Alex was excellence endorsed for stats. Please book him in again for this year. I think it would be very worthwhile to have his guidance.”

Alex’s mother Sandra, January 2015
Year 12, Mathematics

"We have enjoyed Caitlin’s help and have been very impressed in how Caitlin managed to turn Ashlea around from failing to finishing within the top 3 of her Year 12 class. We really can’t thank Caitlin and AHeadStart enough."

Ashlea’s father Stephen, June 2011
Year 12, Level 2 Biology & Chemistry

"Anna was delightful! Madeline seemed relaxed with her, they appeared to be having fun whilst focusing and working hard together, so I am thrilled! There was lots of positive energy which Madeline thrives on as she is quite outgoing by nature. Thank you."

Madeline’s mother Louisa, July 2015
Year 10, Mathematics

“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