Third graders mess around with odd bully at student gathering (8)

I believe the answer is:

assembly

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'student gathering' is the definition.
'assembly' can be an answer for 'gathering' (synonyms). I am unsure of the 'student' bit.

'third graders mess around with odd bully' is the wordplay.
'third graders' becomes 'a' (3rd letter of 'graders').
'around with' indicates anagramming the letters.
'odd' indicates alternate letters.
The alternating letters of 'bully' are 'bly'.
'mess' mixed up with 'bly' makes 'ssembly'.
'a'+'ssembly'='ASSEMBLY'

'at' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for assembly that I've seen before include "Body of people that meets" , "Gathering for a special purpose" , "Group of people gathered together for a purpose" , "Gathering, group with common purpose" , "synod" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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