The children, dressed in orange, displayed banners and waved ribbons as they walked up Dunedin's main street from the University of Otago School of Dentistry to the Octagon for Orange Day.
The annual day is used to recognise the work of school patrol monitors in keeping fellow pupils safe on the streets around school.
Inspector Alastair Dickie joined in the march and recalled his days on school patrol at North East Valley Normal School in the 1960s.
The march "livened up the main street" while highlighting the importance of road safety.
Dunedin Mayor Peter Chin met the group representing 25 different schools, from Dunedin as well as Balclutha and Milton, at the Octagon to thank them for the work they did.
"Thank you very, very much for the work you do in keeping our schools safe," he said.
The children were then taken to Moana Pool where 1300 barbecued sausages awaited them.
