In 1960, a deputation from the Clarence High School P & F Association strongly emphasised the urgent need for immediate action in the provision of additional high school accommodation on the Eastern Shore. With the co-operation of the Housing Department and the Clarence Commission negotiations were rapidly completed for the procurement of the magnificent site on which the school now stands. On 23 June 1960, the Rose Bay High School Advisory Council was formed through the P & F Associations of the three Primary Schools immediately concerned: Lindisfarne North, Lindisfarne and Montagu Bay.
On 29 July 1960, a tender was let for the first unit of the Rose Bay High School at a contract price of £43,000. The first stage of the new building consisted of eight classrooms, two of which were used for practical activities with some provision for both administrative and staff requirements.
Redevelopment
2009 saw the start of the school's second redevelopment stage to which A$4.78 million was allocated. This complemented the A$1.3 million refurbishment which was completed in 2005 and provide 'state of the art facilities' in most learning areas. The first phase began in November 2009, with the demolition of the old student toilet block at the end of B Block. The school's new Dance/Drama suite was constructed on this site.
In March 2017, the school was one of eighteen high schools expanded to cover Years 11 and 12.[5]
Rose Bay High School gained funding from the Australian Government's Building the Education Revolution Program to build a Language Centre to provide modern facilities for the teaching of languages other than English.
