There was a unified and impassioned cry of "fight the decision - save our school", from an estimated 1000 people who marched in protest up George St on Saturday, supporting Forbury School in South Dunedin.
Earlier this month, Education Minister Anne Tolley announced it was likely Macandrew Intermediate and Forbury Schools would be merged as a years 1-8 primary school on the Macandrew site.
She also announced it was likely Caversham, College Street and Calton Hill Schools would be merged as a years 1-8 school on the Caversham site, with a campus on the Calton Hill site.
The large group of vocal protesters carried placards with various messages aimed at Mrs Tolley - all pleading for her to see the value in the Oxford St school and keep it open.
At the end of each block on George St, the group stopped, allowing pupils of Forbury School to give a short haka, before moving into the next block on their way to the Octagon.
Hundreds of signatures were also collected on a petition to keep the school open.
Principal Janice Tofia was amazed by the turnout and the level of support for the school, which has a roll of about 145.
"There's community support from right across the city. There's people here from Brighton to Northeast Valley and up the hills. Teachers, parents and children from lots of other schools are here as well.
"It's humbling to see we've gathered so much support for the school," Mrs Tofia said.
The protest march is just one of many initiatives planned by the school, aimed at giving the community the ability to voice its concerns about the probable closure, Mrs Tofia said.
The school and its parents have until the end of the month to persuade Mrs Tolley to keep the school open.
