Teachers and books came back into Chad Reed’s life for the first time in over a decade, with the Hunter motocross star returning to his roots.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The multiple supercross and motocross champion revisited Kurri Kurri High School for the first time in 15 years alongside wife Ellie and their children Tate and Kiah.
More than 350 students packed the high school session as Mr Reed shared his stories of professional sport and discussed his decision to leave school at the end of year Nine.
‘‘As cool as it probably sounds to [students] that I left school I just wanted to be hanging out with my friends and they were all still at school,’’ he said.
‘‘It was a gamble that worked out for me, but you kind of get a 50-50 shot at it.’’
Mr Reed said the prospect of passing on his knowledge to school students was more daunting than addressing thousands of fans.
‘‘That’s just doing your thing ... [this] is more personal, it means more and it’s special.
‘‘For me to come to a school and talk to kids about my situation is something I never thought I’d do.’’
Mrs Reed said she had met her husband as a student at Kurri Kurri High School when they were 13, two years before Reed left to turn his passion for motorbikes into a career.
Mrs Reed said their family, including her sister and Kurri Kurri High School teacher Kasey Brady, was hopeful Reed could inspire Hunter youth to aim high.
‘‘Having kids you want to make that difference and give them someone they can look up to,’’ Mrs Reed said.
‘‘It means a lot.’’
Head teacher welfare Alan Hope said Mr Reed’s advice to students on how to achieve their goals was a big boost for the students.
![YOUNG LOVE: Chad Reed and wife Ellie, pictured with children Tate and Kiah, met at Kurri Kurri High School. Picture: Peter Stoop YOUNG LOVE: Chad Reed and wife Ellie, pictured with children Tate and Kiah, met at Kurri Kurri High School. Picture: Peter Stoop](/images/transform/v1/resize/frm/storypad-3ZMaZUzN3dKuM6vrzTJmtN/f5c683c3-df7c-493f-b82e-81644c3b0319.jpg/w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)