About Us
The people who care about your kids as much as you do
At Focus Learning, education isn’t just what we do - it’s who we are. Our director, Robin Hicks, has dedicated his life to helping young people discover confidence and clarity in their learning. For Robin, tutoring is about more than test results - it’s about sparking curiosity, building resilience, and supporting each student as an individual.
About Robin
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
Robin brings over 40 years of experience across many levels of education. He’s worked with students from primary school right through to tertiary level, as well as teaching adults and mentoring in community settings.
Robin comes from a family that has dedicated much of their lives to the education of young people, the first tuition centre in the HB area was established by his parents in 1991, and the goal of FLC is continue with the high standards set from those days.
What drives him is seeing that moment when a student ‘gets it’ - and watching their confidence grow.
Robin's Qualifications & Experience
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Primary teaching – specialising in Years 7–8
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Secondary teaching – English, Science, and Maths (Years 9–10), ICT up to Year 13
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Secondary administration – Information Services
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Tertiary teaching – Waikato University and EIT (Computer Science, BSc programme)
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Adult/community teaching – Computer education and community classes
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Sports instruction – Qualified PADI SCUBA instructor
Academic Qualifications:
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BA (Computer Science)
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PGDip (Engineering)
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ACBC
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TTC
Why Napier Families
Trust Us
Hawkes Bay Families choose Focus Learning because they want more than a generic programme - they want someone local who genuinely cares about their child’s progress. Being based in Napier means I understand the schools, the curriculum, and the challenges students face here. Parents know they can trust me to provide support that actually makes a difference, not just more worksheets.
Over the years I’ve worked with children who were struggling to keep up, as well as those ready to be stretched further. What parents often say is that they notice the change at home - homework gets easier, the stress lifts, and their child begins to believe in themselves again. That’s the kind of shift that builds long-term confidence, not just better test results.
When families in Napier look for tutoring they can rely on, they want someone consistent, approachable, and committed. Focus can help support by providing a bespoke plan for you child, backed by a real understanding of what’s needed to thrive in the New Zealand curriculum.
2Learning Group
Focus Learning is a member of In2Learning, a nationwide group of trusted tutoring centres across New Zealand. This connection means we’re backed by a wider community of experienced educators who share proven methods and resources. For families, it offers peace of mind knowing your child is supported not just by us locally, but also by a network committed to helping students thrive.
"My son has been coming to Focus Learning for several terms now, and I can’t recommend Robin enough. He explains maths in a way that just clicks for my son. His confidence has grown so much - he now approaches problems with a real ‘can-do’ attitude and gets excited to come back each week to learn the next step."
Parent of a year 8 student