"I've always been the only deaf person in my school," said Jessica, who has just finished her Higher School Certificate at Mount View High.

"Before I came to the choir I had never met another deaf person.

"At the beginning I didn't want to go, but when I saw how many other students were like me I was keen.

"Now I feel closer to them than most of my friends at school."

Jessica, 18, is one of seven year 12 students who will leave the Hunter Signing Choir this year.

It's the largest number the choir has lost at once since it was established in 1994 to help state school students who were deaf or hard of hearing to access the performing arts, develop communication skills, meet peers and improve their confidence.

Choir director Donna Griffith said the group had "grown up together".

"Some have been with us for more than ten years," she said. "We're a team and a family. All the students get on so well and have forged very strong friendships."

A group of 11 choir members - including the year 12 students - will perform in a featured ensemble in four Schools Spectacular shows on November 22 and 23 in Sydney.

They will sign the words to I See Stars.

Year 12 students Jessica, Samantha Butler, Gemma Hawkins, Riley Johnson and Callum Quinn, all 18, have hearing aids and rely primarily on oral speech, so usually only sign at choir events.

"I wanted to make new friends and help other students learn how to sign," said Kotara High's Samantha, who lost her hearing at 2.5 years old when she had mumps and German measles.

Quirindi High's Gemma said she was the opposite. "Instead of teaching, I'm learning," Gemma said. "Each year I pick up a few new signs."

They have been practicing the song using a video, but have met up in recent weeks to rehearse together. "Everyone is a little nervous but when we go out there we blow the roof off," Gemma said. Jessica said for the first three shows they were "hyped, but for the last one we go ballistic".

They're mindful this performance marks the end of an era.

"It's going to be something hard to let go of," said Merewether High's Callum, who said he would never have been involved in the performing arts without the choir.

"'The Schools Spectacular is coming up' - next year we won't be able to say that."

Kurri Kurri High's Riley, who said shows demonstrated "deaf people can perform too", said it would be "very emotional - everyone lives far away from each other and we won't be able to see each other as much".

But Ms Griffith said the students were welcome to continue to perform with the choir as mentors. She may also start an adult signing choir.