In 1919, the land on which most of the original part of the school now stands was resumed, and plans for the new school were prepared. A section of the resumed land is historic, forming part of a grant made by the Rev. Richard Johnson on 20 May 1793. This farm was called "Canterbury Vale", and it was from this that the suburb of Canterbury and the school is named. Plans for the new building were completed in late December 1923, and a tender for £22,000 (A$44,000) was accepted in May 1924. The building was completed and occupied in July 1925 and officially opened on 1 August of that year.