The founding headmistress of SCEGGS Gleniffer Brae took a trip down memory lane when she returned to Wollongong and toured her old school grounds.Kathleen McCredie, the headmistress from 1955 until 1970, met ex-pupils to gather anecdotes for a forthcoming written history of the school.Miss McCredie was just 26 - and the second youngest member of staff - when she took up the role at the new school.The first time she set eyes on the manor house, now home to the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music, she said it took her breath away."It's the most beautiful property," Miss McCredie said."The place overwhelmed me."Miss McCredie, who now lives in Orange, said returning to Gleniffer Brae had been an emotional experience."I feel very sad it's no longer a school," she said."I used to think, when I retired, if I had the money and the strength I'd like to restart it. I had neither."The school closed in 1978 due to financial difficulties within the SCEGGS group.Ex-pupils Lesley Higgins and Terrie Baxter said the SCEGGS community was like a family.They have particularly fond memories of their headmistress joining them on the sports field for hockey games."She was a fantastic person, always very approachable," Ms Baxter said.Ms Baxter later returned to the school as a teacher and was working there when it closed."I was mortified," she said."I had a daughter and I wanted her to come here and have the wonderful experience I had."Now the former students are hoping to gather memories about the school. Anyone who would like to contribute can contact Lesley Higgins at riandale@optusnet.com.au.