Katrina Munting was a bright and bubbly teenager until her future was "irreparably and irreversibly" damaged by sexual abuse inflicted by her high school science teacher.
Ms Munting is suing Marcus James Pollard and the state of Tasmania for damages in a civil case that began in the Supreme Court of Tasmania on Monday.
Pollard was sentenced in 2020 to three years in jail with a non-parole period of 18 months after pleading guilty to one count of persistent sexual abuse of a young person.
Pollard was in his early 40s when he abused then-15-year-old Ms Munting in the late 1990s at Rose Bay High School, on a camping trip and at his home.
Barrister Ken Read SC told the court Ms Munting was a high achiever who dreamed of becoming the first in her family to go to university.
She suffered feelings of self-blame and guilt caused by the heinous assaults and batteries, Mr Read said.
Ms Munting, who has complex post-traumatic stress disorder, went to university with an ATAR of 99 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science with honours.
But Mr Read said career opportunities and earning capacity for someone of her intelligence were "closed off".
"What might have been was irreparably and irreversibly damaged by Pollard's behaviour," he said.
Ms Munting was supported in court by former Australian of the Year and childhood abuse survivor Grace Tame.
She is seeking damages on the basis Pollard breached his duty of care and the state is liable for his acts as his employer.
"Katrina ... wanted to do exceptionally well, to please. School was a very important part of Katrina's life," Mr Read said.
Pollard was called to appear before the court but wasn't present at the building.
AAP has attempted to obtain copies of the defences filed by Pollard and the state.
According to Ms Munting's statement of claim, Pollard abused her in the school's photography room, at his home after meeting her at a reserve near the school, and groomed her by encouraging her to call him by telephone.
The trial is expected to run for several days.
