Achieve Centres for Education

Achieve Centres for Education

About Us

ACE has been operating successfully on the North Shore since 1998, and (since December 2015) is overseen by teachers and directors Katherine and Evan Barker, New Zealand registered teachers with combined experience teaching primary, secondary and tertiary levels in New Zealand and overseas.

Katherine Barker – BSc (Bioscience), RSA CELTA, Grad Dip Tch

Katherine loves assisting both juniors and seniors at ACE with their English, and helping struggling primary maths learners to grasp key concepts using hands-on maths materials. Katherine is a New Zealand registered and experienced primary school teacher. She comes from a science research background and is also a published author and an experienced ESL teacher.

She has taught English language, literature and grammar from pre-school through to tertiary level in New Zealand and Hong Kong.

Evan Barker – BA (Languages), RSA CELTA, Dip CELTA, Grad Dip Tch, Post Grad Dip Educational Leadership, M.A. Ed. 

Evan has 12 years primary teaching experience, and 14 years teaching secondary and tertiary ESL students in New Zealand, New Caledonia and Hong Kong. Evan is deputy principal in a North-West school and lends his considerable Special Educational Needs knowledge and educational management experience to ACE.

Our qualified teachers have successfully helped thousands of Y1-Y13 North Shore (and beyond) students achieve in the areas of Maths, English, Spelling, Writing, Reading and Science through high-quality and personalised tuition.

All our tutors are qualified teachers (except for our senior science tutors who are subject experts) specialising in the age groups and subject areas they teach. The average experience of our teachers is over 20 years. We love teaching, we enjoy people, and we help your child get results!

How can we help your child?

Students arrive for their session, settle in, share back their homework, and begin their first activity which has been specifically planned for their needs.

We generally change the mode of learning every 10-15 minutes, from table work to computer, with physical materials used as needed.

For Years 1-9 we use videos, worksheets, whiteboard tables and markers, counters, tens frames, hundreds blocks, computer activities, colourful books, crayons, and paper – whatever we think will best help each learner!

For senior students, working with 2-3 other students in the same subject offers that extra dimension of support, learning and belonging.

Sessions are 80 minutes long for Years 1-9 and 60 minutes for years 1-10. Progress reports are provided after every 15 sessions.

Session times
  • Monday – Wednesday 3:30 – 4:50 (Years 1-9) and 5:00 – 6:20 (Years 1-9)
  • Monday – Wednesday 5:00 – 6:00 Senior English
  • Tuesday 4:00 – 5:00 and 5:00 – 6:00 Senior Sciences
  • Tues, Wednesday 4:00 – 5:00 and 5:00 – 6:00 Senior Maths
  • Thursday 4:00 – 5:20 (Years 1-9)
  • Thursday 4-5:00 (Senior English)
  • Saturday 9:00 – 10:20 and 10:30 – 11:50

(More sessions are added later in the school year)

Our physical environment

We are based at 1 View Road which is handy to North Shore schools. Many of our senior students come to us by bus, bicycle or on foot. Parking is just outside and in Merton Ave just around the corner.

We are located upstairs and we have four light, bright and spacious teaching zones. Each zone has a maximum of 4 students at one time, plus their teacher. This creates a focused and calm learning environment. Each student has exclusive access to a laptop or desktop computer for when they need it during their session.

Atmosphere

School can become a hectic place for many students. At ACE we provide a calm, purposeful and happy environment in which to learn at a pace that best suits each child. We believe in approachability, empathy, enthusiasm and respect as we support your child in their learning.

We foster relationships with parents and grandparents, so everyone is aware of their child’s progress and is part of the ACE community. The relationships formed between student and teacher are vital for effective teaching.

This is something our teachers know very well. They are experienced teacher mentors who work to build trust, a positive learning environment and good communication. They know that approachability, empathy, enthusiasm, respect and dedication are the personal skills necessary to support your child in their learning.

We believe every child is special and has the right to reach their potential. At ACE they will have the best chance possible. For more information or to arrange a free learning assessment we invite you to call or give us a visit. We look forward to meeting you and your child or teen.

Services

  • Individualised learning programme
  • New Zealand Curriculum aligned – NCEA, Cambridge, IB
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • English
  • Spelling
  • Maths
  • Sciences
  • Holiday Sessions
  • Weekly homework
  • Progress reports

Services

  • Individualised learning programme
  • New Zealand Curriculum aligned – NCEA, Cambridge, IB
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • English
  • Spelling
  • Maths
  • Sciences
  • Holiday Sessions
  • Weekly homework
  • Progress reports

My son says he loves reading now. I never thought I would hear him say that!
A, Parent

This is the best school ever.
MB, Student

Last night we attended our son’s graduation. He received Excellence in Numeracy, Progress in Mathematics Cup, Progress in Literacy, and Academic Excellence. Thank you for being part of this.
PR, Parent

We have seen such a difference in a short time, our son has suddenly progressed from Level 7 in reading to Level 14 – amazing. Thank you.
KD, Parent

I hated English and was failing. You have helped so much and this year I achieved an Endorsed with Excellence.
M, Student

Maths was stressful and caused her to lose confidence. Since having tuition with you she has steadily increased in confidence and is now in the top group and looking forward to intermediate.
DB, Parent