Construction began on the first building on the Crows Nest campus in 1913 on contract by John Brown whose tender price was £7770 "on much the same lines" as North Sydney Girls High School, whose construction was then underway. In August 1914, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that the "Girls' High School at North Sydney has been completed and occupied, while the buildings for the Boys' High School are being erected ... on the most modern lines, while the accommodation and fittings will be ample, and up to date." By the end of December 1914, Sydney Morning Herald could report that the "Boys' High School at North Sydney is being erected by day labour at an estimated cost of £7900. It consists of a two-story brick building, with stone facings, and provides eight classrooms and staff rooms. The science and manual training rooms are detached."
