But when it was the turn of Weetangera School students on December 5, it coincided with a protest at Parliament House by other students calling for action on climate change.

Just as the youngsters were about to perform Christmas carols, the protest got into full swing and they were unable to perform in the Great Hall for security reasons.

The children kindly agreed to instead perform outside the building, to the delight of visitors and staff.

One of the youngsters, Calli, asked Parliament House staff if they would still receive brownies – as she said a friend from another school had told her about the great Parliament House brownies given to choirs after their performances.

They were, indeed, given brownies and apples on the day, but Parliament House staff wanted to say a bigger thank you.

When Calli asked if they could have the brownie recipe because they tasted so good, Parliament House's executive chef David Learmonth agreed – in what is believed to be a first.

So Mr Learmonth, with pastry chef Amanda Polsen, recently visited Weetangera School to give the children more brownies – and the secret recipe.

There were smiles all 'round.

This Christmas season, 10 school choirs from Canberra and the surrounding regions - a total of 476 participants - performed to more than 1000 visitors, politicians and staff in the Great Hall of Parliament House (and for Weetangera School, outside the building). The largest choir to perform was the Combined ACT Schools Choir, which had 120 members.

Well done to all.