Crossword Genius

Pupils of the past perhaps (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alumni

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'pupils' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Former pupils' mean 'alumni' so perhaps 'pupils' could also mean 'alumni')

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

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(Other definitions for alumni that I've seen before include "Old boys and girls" , "Former (college) students" , "Graduates of an institution" , "Past pupils, former students" , "we studied at a certain place" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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