A 12-year-old boy has denied raping a six-year-old girl in two separate attacks at a Sydney northern beaches primary school during school hours.
The boy attended Hornsby Children's Court on Thursday with his parents, aunt and barrister, his first court appearance since and he another 12-year-old boy were arrested last month.
His lawyer James Viney entered not guilty pleas on his behalf to six charges.
His bail was varied to enable him to go on a Queensland family holiday and Magistrate Louise McManus excused him from attending on the next court date, November 24.
Four of the alleged offences occurred between 8am on June 24 and 4pm on July 1.
He is accused of three counts of indecent assault aggravated by taking place in the company of the other boy and one of sexual intercourse with a person under 10.
The remaining offences allegedly happened on August 16 between 8am and 4pm, involving indecent assault and sexual intercourse of the six-year-old girl.
Before the boy came into court, the magistrate heard legal argument relating to the presence of reporters.
Mr Viney referred to the "delicate age" of the boy, who had never come before a court, and the prospect of him facing a "barrage of media".
Magistrate McManus allowed five of the eight journalists to remain, saying the effect of too many people in court could make it a "bigger ordeal for the young person".
The second boy is due to appear in the same court on October 20.
