Parent Testimonials

“We were thrilled to see that Eva got straight excellences (all internals and externals) for science for level one NCEA.”

Eva’s mother Frances, January 2015
Year 11, Science

"Georgia really felt that Becky made a big difference. She feels sure that she has passed and hopefully even done better. I certainly appreciated the fact that you could quickly supply a tutor of Becky's calibre. I would recommend A Head Start to others in a similar position to Georgia."

Georgia’s mother Leanne, December 2012
Year 13, Level 3 Chemistry

“[Mikayla] saw her Maths teacher yesterday and he was saying to her that he can’t believe how much more improved Mikayla is this year with her books of work that she is turning in. Even though James and Mikayla only meet 1 hour each week, James has just made such a difference to her in helping her understand but also helping her do different equations that she is learning with approaching them with easier ways that what her books are teaching her. I have even noticed at home she is working through her books so much faster because she is actually having more of an understanding of what she is doing.

I would like to also say a huge thankyou to you and James for really sticking with Mikayla and helping her have confidence in what she is trying to do as last year she struggled to try and catch up but James just seemed to the right person to have incredible patience with her, Mikayla said she laughs sometimes because she sees him taking a few headache pills before the odd lesson. Ha ha. But again thanks for the reports and for James great teaching skills, hopefully Mikayla can keep up and keep remembering the skills that James is teaching her.”

Mikayla’s mother Leeann, May 2015
Year 12, Mathematics

“Thanks to you and Sean for the very comprehensive report- we are so pleased with his progress.  George really likes Sean and responds well to his style of teaching.

George said to me yesterday that he now enjoys maths which is great and a big change from before beginning Sean's tutorials.”

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

“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

"Sefton said she was great. He also said with a grin that she was “hot” so either that may distract him or motivate him, hopefully the latter. He told me has done the homework that she set for him already."

Sefton’s mother Kathy, August 2013
Year 13, Calculus & Physics

"I think Supun has already let you know his results. He has been awarded Merit endorsement for Chemistry. I am happy with the other subjects as well. Finally he has achieved University entrance for Engineering which I dreamed. This is the path I wanted Supun to show to go ahead and to achieve. Your teaching, your efforts and encouragements was a huge factor Supun to gain this. So thank you very much and much appreciate this."

Supun’s father Rohana, January 2012
Year 13, Level 3 Calculus, Chemistry & 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

"Rory found the 1:1 tuition very helpful. He was able to address specific issues very quickly. "

Rory’s mother Lee, December 2009
Year 11, Level 1 Mathematics & Science

"Can I also add my thanks for all your efforts and positive reinforcement for Briar over the past two years. I am just so pleased that Briar has put in the hard yards, maintained her effort even when she thought she was not getting ahead, and enjoyed the success of her efforts. It speaks volumes for your approach to tutoring and I am so pleased that we found you on the web and decided to work with you."

Briar’s mother Cathie, December 2009
Year 13, Level 3 Biology

"Bernadette got excellence on the recent tables and graphs formative and like Holly the tuition is invaluable for confidence. We are really pleased overall. We believe that tuition is essential because there seems to be big holes in the learning at school."

Holly’s and Bernadette’s mother Mary, July 2013
Year 11 & Year 12, Mathematics & Science

"Yes, Alex came home buzzing. She really wants to do well in her exams later this year. Sadly for her, her results in the mock exams were disappointing.

So after her first English tutorial yesterday, she is already feeling a lot more confident and is a happier person. Many thanks for organising Paula."

Alex’s mother Cassandra, September 2013
Year 11, English

"Scott seems quite happy with the exams so far. I am very appreciative of the skills and abilities of the tutors as Scott has certainly become more confident in the knowledge that he does know things. Both Helena and Kirsten have helped greatly in developing his skills and techniques in both subjects.

I don’t know how children get on who don’t get tutoring, especially when the lack of knowledge comes down to the teacher that the student currently has. I firmly believe that Scott would probably have struggled to get an achieved in both subjects if we hadn’t approached you.

Please pass on our thanks and best wishes to Helena and Kirsten."

Scott’s parents Susan & Bruce, November 2014
Year 11, English & Mathematics

"Wow, that is really great! Jackson certainly seems to have the gift of being able to get the information across so that the pupil understands. It's all very well knowing something, but teaching it effectively to others is quite another thing.

Edie will be cross with me for telling you about the prize, but I thought that you'd both like to hear that your services were working very effectively!! For Edie physics has gone from being something of a mystery, to very interesting things which apply to all aspects of life and the world around her. She was accepted into Fine Arts at Canterbury yesterday, which she is thrilled about, as are we, as it sees her being in an environment where she will continue to grow and to learn, and to keep on loving learning! (And physics will be very useful applied to sculpture!)"

Edie’s mother Gretchen, November 2014
Year 13, Physics

"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

“Melanie has given my daughter more confidence in her own abilities and she is more positive and engaged in her maths. I highly recommend this to anyone who feels their child needs a boost in a subject.”

Emma’s mother Karen, January 2016
Year 11, Mathematics & Science

"Wish Laura well for us. She has been a wonderful guide for the last two years with Joe. She’s extended him and backed his thinking; teaching him how to get his ideas down in a constructive, lucid way. All the best with AHeadStart it has certainly has been fantastic for our boys."

Joe’s mother Sally, December 2014
Year 13, English

"Thanks very much for the assistance from James and yourself over the last few months. Michael is feeling much more confidant going into his exams now than he was a few weeks ago. I will have no trouble recommending AHeadStart to anyone needing a little extra help."

Michael’s mother Janette, November 2012
Year 13, Level 3 Calculus & Physics

“I have nothing but praise for the way this business is run. From the first contact (with Melanie I think) she was friendly, helpful and informative.

The tutor was excellent. My son kept going back which is a start! Plus his exam results were great.

I am very happy and would definitely recommend to family/friends as a positive, friendly and stress free experience. Some businesses are in your face with email/phone contact to introduce you to more of their opportunities but I found AHeadStart had none of that. With our busy lives these days it's annoying having lots of emails or phone calls etc, this was not the case at all.

Thank you to Melanie and her team at AHeadStart.

All the best and regards
Chris Peckham.”

Blake’s mother Chris, January 2016
Year 13, Physics